Eased visa policies boost exchanges, cooperation between China, Balkan nations

Tourism boom

According to data from Serbia's Statistical Office, a total of 18,530 Chinese tourists visited Serbia between Jan 1 and May 1, up 13 percent compared to the same period last year. Labovic said the number indicates the decision to abolish visa requirement for Chinese tourists is "wise and important."

Trif said the year 2017 witnessed a 22 percent increase year-on-year of Chinese tourists in Romania. In Albania, Chinese tourists increased by 69 percent in 2017 compared to the previous year, according to Gertion Cobo, an expert associated with the country's Ministry of Tourism and Environment.

According to BiH's Agency for Statistics, from January to April 2018, Chinese tourists coming to the country increased 77.9 percent year-on-year, while the number of tourists who stayed overnight in the country rose 69.6 percent.

Mirko Sarovic, BiH's minister of foreign trade and economic relations told Xinhua in a recent interview that the Balkan region as a whole has been considered an interesting destination by Chinese tourists in recent years.

"Visa liberalization with China will strongly boost the tourism industry of BiH and the first results will be evident this year," Sarovic said.

There have been some 30,000 Chinese tourists to BiH in 2017, and Sarovic expects the number to reach 50,000 in 2018 as BiH joins the list of visa-free nations for Chinese tourists.

To make the most of the benefits that visa liberalization and simplification will bring, the Balkan countries are also working hard to upgrade their service.

Given the popularity of the 1972 film "Walter Defends Sarajevo" in China, BiH will design a "Walter route" for Chinese tourists together with Montenegro and Serbia, according to Sarovic.

Cobo said the Albanian government has taken a series of measures to ensure its tourism services meet the needs of Chinese tourists.

"We have formulated a series of detailed plans, such as simplification of exit and entry procedures at the Tirana International Airport, land borders and harbors. In the meantime, all relevant departments must take actions to strictly implement the plans to provide better service based on the needs of Chinese tourists."