Entry-exit Passenger Trips in Q1 of 2026

According to data released by the Hunan General Station of Immigration Inspection on April 4, the province's ports recorded nearly 400,000 entry-exit passenger trips and over 2,500 inbound and outbound flights in the first quarter of 2026. These figures reflect a year-on-year rise of 16.4% in passenger trips and 7.5% in flight volume, respectively.

During the January–March period, a total of 175,000 inbound and outbound trips by foreign nationals were recorded at Hunan's ports. This figure remained largely unchanged from the same timeframe last year.These travelers came from 118 countries, including South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Kenya. South Korean tourists accounted for 45,000 or 56% of the total inbound foreign trips, a 12% year-on-year increase, continuing to rank first in this regard. Visa free entries exceeded 70,000, making up 86% of the total.

During the same period, trips by travelers from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan grew significantly. Taiwanese compatriots made 6,700 trips, posting the sharpest rise, a 19.6 fold increase year on year. Hong Kong and Macao residents recorded 7,000 trips, marking a 15.6-fold surge compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, mainland residents made 210,000 entry-exit trips, representing a year-on-year increase of 27.2%. Their top three destinations were Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Starting March 29, Hunan's airports began implementing the summer autumn flight schedule. Changsha Huanghua International Airport and Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport now offer about 160 and 100 international passenger flights per week, respectively—increases of 25% and 35% year on year. With the ongoing expansion of the route network, passenger traffic at these ports is projected to hit record highs.

Chinese source: hunan.gov.cn