Italy is among 11 European countries involved in the trial of visa-free travel to China. Tourism is already booming – and businesses are taking advantage of the ease with which they can strengthen ties. CGTN’s Hermione Kitson reports.
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00:00 Giovanni Mazzay's family has been in the winemaking business in the heart of Tuscany's Chianti
00:06 Classico region since 1435 and he says passion is the key to centuries of success.
00:13 So I can say that we've been devoted for over 25 generations to the Sangiovese and to the
00:18 territory.
00:20 China is one of the brand's top 10 export markets and before the pandemic 50,000 bottles
00:25 were sent there each year.
00:27 We invest a lot in the market. I used to live in Asia, in Hong Kong and I used to develop,
00:32 I started developing China myself. So I think the fact that we're spending more time there,
00:37 it really helped us to understand more and to know more of the Chinese culture.
00:41 Livio Mazzanti is the brand's China area manager. He says they're yet to return to 2019 numbers
00:48 but that China's visa-free travel initiative will improve business as it will cut paperwork
00:53 and lengthy processing times.
00:56 The Chinese government introduced a good strategy because for us it's much easier to go to China
01:03 because we can take the first flight available.
01:07 I think it's a great benefit and I think we will see big returns from this.
01:12 Italy is among 11 European countries involved in the trial of 15 days of visa-free travel
01:18 to China. The last four should be added to the list include Austria, Belgium, Hungary
01:23 and Luxembourg.
01:25 It's hoped simplifying travel to China will not only boost business but also tourism.
01:31 Last year there was a surge in interest in China as a holiday destination and now there
01:35 are currently 35 flights per week from Rome to nine different destinations.
01:40 Authorities at Rome's Fiumicino airport believe 2024 will be a record year for Chinese travel.
01:48 Now at the beginning of 2024 in the period between January and February we are strongly
01:55 growing compared to 2019 levels and we got plus 60% in terms of seats offered, capacity
02:03 offered.
02:04 The one year trial is expected to end in November.
02:07 Hermione Kitson, CGTN, Rome.