00:00Exploring China's ancient sites was the trip of a lifetime for Nika Durchaniova.
00:07She recently returned to Slovakia from a 10-day visit that took her to landmarks like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall.
00:16I really enjoyed it. The historical monuments were really beautiful.
00:20The food was delicious. The speed of trains was incredible. It's not like in our country.
00:28Durchaniova says her experience in China was so incredible that she's already eager to return.
00:35And China's recent decision to waive visa requirements for Slovak citizens has given her another reason to plan her next trip.
00:45I will go to China as well again to see maybe more of nature, to see some national parks maybe.
00:52Travel experts say China's visa-free policy is making the country a more attractive destination for Slovakian tourists.
01:01Yeah, it's been great news. I mean, our prime minister just visited China and it was one of the news we got from China.
01:08Without the visa, everything will be much smoother.
01:11Zelisnyak, who has traveled to China more than 40 times, says interest in China as a travel destination has surged since the change in the rules was announced.
01:23Travel agencies in Slovakia anticipate that the new visa-free initiative will significantly boost tourism to China.
01:33They say this policy not only opens the door for cultural exchange between people to people, but also builds stronger relationships between both countries.
01:45Before the pandemic, around 18,000 Slovak tourists visited China each year.
01:50Now, with the new visa-free policy in place, the number is expected to triple.
01:55Travel agencies across Slovakia are getting ready for the anticipated surge in demand by developing new tourism packages offering luxury holidays.
02:06We're going to promote China as a luxury destination because this is something that most people don't connect with China.
02:13You can apply for a very good business class, you can stay in five-star hotels, and you can explore the traditional culture.
02:19And of course, without a visa, it's so easy.
02:22And as Slovaks like Durcaniova make plans to head east, it's clear the visa-free program is already inspiring new adventures and connections.
02:33Pablo Gutierrez, CGTN, Bratislava, Slovakia.
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