More travelers from New Zealand are choosing China as visa rules become easier and air connections between the two countries expand.
Reuters footage and interviews published on October 4 point to a noticeable increase in demand following the introduction of visa free travel.
Li Ruiqin, managing director of China Travel Service in New Zealand, said the company had seen travel demand increase steadily, with particularly strong growth this year.
Simplified entry requirements can have an immediate impact on tourism.
Removing the need to complete a traditional visa application reduces costs, paperwork and uncertainty, making shorter and more spontaneous trips considerably easier.
Expanded flight connections are also helping.
China offers travelers a combination of major cities, historic sites, food tourism and natural attractions, while digital payment systems have become increasingly accessible to international visitors.
The trend comes as China attempts to rebuild and expand international tourism by making entry easier for citizens of a growing number of countries.
For New Zealand travelers, that means a destination that once required more advance preparation is becoming significantly easier to visit.
