A boom in Chinese tourists is expected to return in parts of the world in 2023 after China announced plans to remove restrictions imposed on international travel in early January. Although Chinese tourists may be gradual in their pace to go overseas again, a few countries said they are preparing for their return.

Chinese tourists wear masks as they arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, in Jan 22, 2020. (File photo via China Daily)

“Chinese friends, France is welcoming you with open arms!” said a post by the official account of the French Embassy in China on Chinese social media platform Sina Weibo on Tuesday.

A dozen countries’ tourism authorities including those of Thailand, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, and Spain followed suit to express their anticipation of Chinese tourists.

“Three years already. Amazing Thailand has been waiting for you for three years,” read another post by the Weibo account of the Thai Tourism Authority.

The Thai government is gearing up to welcome Chinese tourists back after China lifted curbs on overseas travel. According to the Bangkok Post, the country’s ministers of transport, tourism, and public health will meet next week on measures to prepare for the return of Chinese tourists. The initial measures include an increase in flight arrangements to popular destinations and enabling key airports’ ground handling of an increase in passengers.

Chinese residents reacted swiftly to Monday’s announcement on the easing of international travel. Bookings for outbound flights surged by 254 percent on Tuesday morning compared to the same period the day prior, according to data compiled by travel group Trip.com. The top five destinations were Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, and Thailand.

Shares in European luxury retailers also rallied on Tuesday after the news of the relaxation of travel restrictions, in hopes of a recovery from spending by Chinese tourists visiting Europe.

Some countries, however, are taking a cautious approach to the possible influx of Chinese tourists. The United States, Japan, South Korea, Italy, and some others require negative COVID test results for travelers from China.

Wang Wenbin, Chinese Foreign Affairs spokesperson, on Wednesday called all countries to make their COVID response measures science-based and not to affect normal people-to-people exchange.