Milestone Moment: First Leisure Tour Group from China Returns to BC After Five-Year Pause

On December 24, 2025, a group of 15 travellers from Shenzhen, China, departed for a 10-day, 7-night itinerary in British Columbia, marking the first official leisure group tour from mainland China to Canada in five years. Their arrival highlights a pivotal moment in the recovery of international travel, following China’s reinstatement of Approved Destination Status (ADS) for Canada in early November.

The group’s journey included visits to Vancouver, Whistler, and Victoria, offering a rich mix of natural beauty and cultural exploration. Most of the travellers were part of multi-generational families, reflecting a growing interest in immersive, intergenerational travel experiences.

Collaborative Welcome Across Borders

To mark the occasion, a range of tourism partners in China and British Columbia came together to coordinate celebratory activities and ensure a warm reception. The tour was operated by Shenzhen CITS and supported by Hainan Airlines. In China, a farewell ceremony was held at Shenzhen Airport, where Destination BC’s China representative shared remarks as part of the multi-agency send-off.

Upon arrival in BC, the group was met with coordinated hospitality efforts across several destinations. A welcome reception was held on December 31 at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden in Vancouver, attended by representatives from the Chinese Consulate, Destination Canada, Destination BC, Vancouver International Airport, and Hainan Airlines. Local businesses and destination organizations, including Destination Greater Victoria, Lulu Island Winery, McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, and YVR Duty Free, also helped host memorable experiences along the way.

Media Interest and Market Signal

The return of Chinese group travel to Canada has generated widespread media interest in both markets. Outlets such as Phoenix TV, People’s Daily, and CCTV News have reported on the milestone, highlighting British Columbia’s role in Canada’s reopening to Chinese outbound tourism.

Looking Ahead: Rebuilding Market Momentum

Since the reinstatement of ADS on November 3, Chinese tour operators have quickly resumed marketing Canada-bound group packages, many with departures aligned to the upcoming Lunar New Year. Destination BC’s China team is working with tour operators to promote BC-specific itineraries, with an emphasis on minimum five-night stays to help support seasonal dispersion and economic benefit across more communities.

While the inaugural group represents an early step, the collaborative efforts behind this moment reflect British Columbia’s commitment to nurturing long-term relationships in China and supporting responsible tourism growth as global markets rebound.