Wanderlust returns as tourism booms

Visa applications in China are expected to witness a robust recovery this year, fueled by the increase in international flight capacity and eased visa policies for Chinese tourists, said VFS Global, the world's leading visa application outsourcing and technology services provider.

VFS Global said visa application volumes in the first four months have already reached 73 percent of pre-COVID levels, driven by strong travel demand. This year, the figure is projected to be about 70 percent of the level in 2019.

Demand for Schengen visas has always been high, with Germany and Italy being frequent preferences. Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States are also very popular destinations for Chinese residents, said Kishen Singh, chief operating officer for the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Mongolia of VFS Global.