20 French tour operators recently completed a 10-day familiarization tour of six major cities across China's Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA)

20 French tour operators recently completed a 10-day familiarization tour of six major cities across China's Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). The tour from May 25 to June 3 was jointly organized by the China National Tourist Office in Paris and the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangdong Province.

As part of the "Nihao-China" 2025 campaign, the "Nihao-China" 2025 Educational Tour of French Tour Operators in GBA aimed to deepen cultural understanding and strengthen future tourism cooperation. The French delegation visited Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Chaozhou, Hong Kong, and Macao, following a multi-stop itinerary designed to showcase the GBA's cultural heritage, modern urban development, and travel potential.

Cultural immersion during Dragon Boat Festival

Coinciding with the Dragon Boat Festival, the tour also offered opportunities to engage with local customs. In Macao, the group observed dragon boat races. In Zhuhai's traditional Huitong Village, they picked fresh lychees, and in Guangzhou's Liede Village, they sampled longzhou fan, a festival-specific banquet shared communally. Many participants purchased local crafts and souvenirs, even buying extra suitcase to transport their finds back to France.

The tour also benefited from China's 30-day visa-free entry policy for citizens of 47 countries, including France. Organizers cited the policy as a key factor in making the familiarization trip more convenient and efficient. 

Notable participants included long-established French agencies with expertise in Asian destinations, such as ASIA, which has operated in China since 1986, and Maisons du Voyage, known for its China-focused cultural itineraries under its "Maison de la Chine" division. They have identified more opportunities through this trip, as Guangdong has traditionally been viewed as a business destination, but this trip helped demonstrate its potential for leisure and cultural tourism—particularly for repeat visitors to China seeking new experiences outside of more familiar destinations like Beijing and Shanghai.

Source：GuangzhouWaishi(广州外事)