Lifestyle Trend: Surge in Kerala business trips to China amid easing travel restrictions You Should Know

Kochi: With COVID-19 concerns easing and flight services between India and China resuming, China is increasingly becoming a popular destination for Malayali businessmen. Many are travelling to participate in the Canton Fair, China’s largest trade fair, held biannually in Guangzhou every April and October.

The fair provides entrepreneurs with a platform to explore import-export opportunities, meet suppliers, and assess business prospects. This year’s Canton Fair ran from October 15 to November 4, attracting several groups from Kerala, as well as Malayali business delegations from the Gulf region.

Bastin Joseph, chairman and managing director of Kochi-based Fortune Tours, said there has been a significant surge in demand for trips to China, facilitated by easier visa procedures. He noted that most Chinese visas can now be obtained within 8–10 days, compared to longer processing times in previous years.

Joseph also highlighted that language barriers can pose challenges for first-time visitors, but translation apps have made communication easier.

Direct flights to China are available from Delhi and Kolkata, with additional connections via Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. A typical 6 to 8-day business trip costs around ₹1.5 lakh, covering airfare, hotel accommodation, food, and visa charges.

This year, a large group of Malayali entrepreneurs of Travel N Grow Global, led by managing director Dr Abdussalam Omar, went to China. The group explored markets for electronics, AI products, watches, footwear, toys, clothing, and ceramics. Dr Omar said that many participants returned to China independently within a few months to visit factories and make large-scale imports, although he recommends first-time visitors travel in groups.

The Foshan market remains a key destination for buyers of luxury furniture, with some purchasing items worth ₹50 lakh to ₹2 crore for new homes.

In addition to business activities, most travel packages include one- or two-day excursions to popular sites such as the Asian Games Village, Glass Bridge, and the Li River, providing a mix of business and leisure for visiting entrepreneurs. 

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