Chinese visitors to Ireland will have a five-year, multi-entry visa option from next month.
The announcement was made yesterday, by Justice and Equality Minister Charlie Flanagan at an event to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Ireland.
It’s good news for tourism, making it easier and more attractive than ever before for Chinese travelers to come to Ireland.
Last month, Tourism Ireland announced its intention to double its marketing investment in China, to €1 million, and to also double its marketing team to 12.
The scheme aims to increase Chinese visitor numbers to 200,000 by 2025.
Welcoming the news, Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said: "The introduction of a five-year, multi entry visit for Chinese visitors is really good news, making it easier than ever before for Chinese holidaymakers to visit Ireland. It’s another important step in helping us to grow visitor numbers from this market – whether those visitors wish to travel here for sightseeing, golf or as business tourists.
Our recent review of emerging tourism markets confirmed China as a market of considerable opportunity for us. China is the largest outbound travel market in the world and one that Tourism Ireland is committed to growing over the coming years."
Last year, Ireland welcomed an estimated 100,000 Chinese visitors to the island of Ireland.
Tourism Ireland said that the introduction of direct flights to Dublin has been "a major game-changer."
