Addressing the Shanghai Municipal People’s Congress on 6 February, Mayor Gong Zheng said the city will roll out a new package of inbound-tourism facilitation measures aimed at turning the metropolis into a “global consumption centre.” Initiatives include easier departure-tax refunds, expanded acceptance of foreign credit cards and mobile wallets, and streamlined currency-conversion services at major shopping districts and exhibitions.
Shanghai recorded 9.36 million inbound visits in 2025—a year-on-year jump of nearly 40 percent—after China extended 30-day visa waivers to 48 countries and broadened its 240-hour transit-without-visa (TWOV) scheme. Officials expect the momentum to accelerate during the upcoming Spring Festival as European and Korean visitor numbers climb.
![Shanghai Unveils Measures to Boost Spending by International Visitors]()
Retailers such as DJI and high-end department stores on Nanjing Road are being encouraged to join the city’s tax-refund network, which processed quadruple the number of transactions last year. The municipal tax bureau is piloting instant digital refunds to UnionPay, Visa and Mastercard accounts at airport kiosks, reducing wait times for departing passengers.
For corporates, the changes promise smoother expense workflows and could make Shanghai more attractive for regional conferences and incentive travel. HR teams relocating staff to the Yangtze Delta may also benefit from easier cross-border payment options for housing deposits and school fees.
Shanghai recorded 9.36 million inbound visits in 2025—a year-on-year jump of nearly 40 percent—after China extended 30-day visa waivers to 48 countries and broadened its 240-hour transit-without-visa (TWOV) scheme. Officials expect the momentum to accelerate during the upcoming Spring Festival as European and Korean visitor numbers climb.
Retailers such as DJI and high-end department stores on Nanjing Road are being encouraged to join the city’s tax-refund network, which processed quadruple the number of transactions last year. The municipal tax bureau is piloting instant digital refunds to UnionPay, Visa and Mastercard accounts at airport kiosks, reducing wait times for departing passengers.
For corporates, the changes promise smoother expense workflows and could make Shanghai more attractive for regional conferences and incentive travel. HR teams relocating staff to the Yangtze Delta may also benefit from easier cross-border payment options for housing deposits and school fees.
Source: Xinhua
