2 hrs ago
China Visa Rejections Disrupt Festival Travel and Flights from Calcutta
Many people in Calcutta wanted to visit China during the festival holidays.
However, travel agents say Chinese authorities have recently rejected many group-visa applications.
One group of 22 travelers may not be able to take its planned trip.
Because fewer people can get visas, IndiGo’s flights from Calcutta to Guangzhou are flying with many empty seats.
IndiGo also plans to start a flight from Calcutta to Shanghai.
Travel businesses had expected China to be popular during the Puja holidays.
The visa problems are happening even though Indian and Chinese leaders recently met and spoke about better relations.
Other destinations, including Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and Sri Lanka, are seeing stronger demand.
The articles do not explain why the visa applications are being rejected.
Travel agents say large numbers of Chinese group-visa applications have been rejected in recent weeks.
About 90% of group applications are reportedly being rejected, though no official figure was provided.
IndiGo’s Calcutta–Guangzhou flights are operating at roughly 30% passenger capacity.
A planned 22-person China trip during the Puja holidays has become uncertain because visas cannot be processed.
The visa difficulties emerged despite a recent meeting between Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping focused on improving bilateral relations.
- Who
- Indian tourists, business travelers, tour operators, airline officials and Chinese visa authorities are involved.
- What
- Large numbers of China group-visa applications are reportedly being rejected, disrupting holiday travel and reducing flight demand.
- Where
- The impact is being felt in Calcutta and on flights to Guangzhou and planned services to Shanghai.
- When
- The rejections increased in recent weeks, with demand reportedly falling from July; the issue affects the upcoming Puja holidays.
- Why
- The visa rejections are limiting the number of travelers able to visit China; the articles do not identify the reason for the rejections.
Diplomatic Optimism
Travel-Sector Concern
State of bilateral relations
Diplomatic Optimism
The recent meeting between Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping emphasized advancing bilateral relations, addressing the boundary question and maintaining peace in border areas.
Travel-Sector Concern
Travel agents and airline officials say visa rejections are making China travel increasingly difficult despite the leaders’ meeting.
China as a holiday destination
Diplomatic Optimism
The relaunch of the Calcutta–Guangzhou route initially produced strong demand, and airlines expected China to be a major Puja-holiday destination.
Travel-Sector Concern
Demand has reportedly fallen sharply, with Guangzhou flights operating at about 30% capacity and the planned Shanghai service facing uncertainty.
Key facts
- Reported group-visa rejection rate
- About 90%, according to sources cited by the newspaper.
- Affected flight
- IndiGo’s Calcutta–Guangzhou service.
- Current flight load
- Around 30% passenger capacity.
- Planned new service
- IndiGo is scheduled to launch Calcutta–Shanghai flights on October 1.
- Affected holiday group
- A group of 22 tourists scheduled to travel to China during the Puja holidays.
- Alternative destinations
- Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and Sri Lanka are reportedly seeing strong Puja-travel demand.
- Recent diplomatic meeting
- Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Delhi this month.
Quotes
Anil Punjabi
Chairman of the Travel Agents Federation of India, eastern region
“After the reintroduction of the Guangzhou flight, there was a major boost in travel to China from Calcutta. Businessmen and tourists were travelling there. However, in the last few weeks, the rejections have been very high”
telegraphindia.com
“Group visas to China are getting rejected in large numbers. If the number of applicants is more than two, it is treated as a group visa by the Chinese authorities”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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