Guangzhou Immigration Ports Record Five-Year Holiday High as Canton Fair Draws Overseas Buyers

Guangzhou’s Baiyun International Airport and three Pearl River ferry terminals handled 405,000 inbound and outbound passenger trips during China’s National Day “Golden Week” (1–7 October), the highest holiday total since 2021, the Guangzhou General Station of Immigration Inspection reported on 10 October. Daily throughput averaged 58,000 people—up 14.7 percent year-on-year—with foreign nationals accounting for 56,000 arrivals. Business travel spiked ahead of the 140th China Import & Export Fair (Canton Fair), which opens on 15 October and has already logged 210,000 overseas buyer pre-registrations. Airport data show 389,000 passenger movements across 373 daily flights, while Nansha, Pazhou and Humen ferry ports together processed 13,000 sea crossings. Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam topped outbound destinations, reflecting a rebound in short-haul corporate incentives and sourcing trips. Immigration officers also cleared more than 3,500 cargo and passenger transport movements, maintaining on-time performance despite peak season volumes. Why it matters: The figures confirm that China’s visa-free transit extensions and digital document reforms are translating into concrete mobility gains. Two-thirds of the foreign arrivals entered on business visas or under the 240-hour visa-free transit scheme—evidence that looser rules are directly supporting trade events such as the Canton Fair’s 70-year anniversary edition. For corporate mobility managers the message is twofold. First, Guangzhou has reclaimed its role as a primary entry hub for South China just as procurement teams descend on the fairground. Second, lodging and ground transport will be tight: hotel occupancy in Pazhou was already above 80 percent during Golden Week. Companies should pre-book police accommodation registration for staff staying in short-term rentals to avoid fines under the 24-hour registration rule. Looking ahead, immigration authorities plan to pilot automated “green lanes” for accredited exhibitors, enabling badge holders to clear passport control and customs simultaneously. If successful, the model could be copied to other major trade expos in Shanghai and Beijing next year.