Visa‑free travel sparks new demand: TripOppo highlights China’s comeback

STORY BY RENEE TSANG

TripOppo welcomed more than 40 travel advisors to an intimate breakfast seminar last Friday (May 8) at the Best Western Premier Calgary Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre to spotlight the surging demand for Asia travel and the shifting behaviours shaping the market in 2026.

Supported by the China National Tourist Office, the “Your Gateway to Asia” session highlighted the renewed interest in China and how seamless the destination has become for Canadian travellers.

Formerly known as Nexus Holidays, co-founders Angela Chen and Jason Jia rebranded the company to TripOppo shortly after the pandemic.

READ MORE: Ottawa to increase direct flight routes with China

With more than 20 years of experience in escorted, air‑inclusive group travel across Asia and other overseas regions, the operator continues to strengthen its presence in the Canadian market.

PAX spoke exclusively with TripOppo at the event to discuss emerging trends that are creating new selling advantages for travel advisors.

One of the biggest drivers of renewed interest is the recent easing of entry requirements. Canadians can now travel to China without a visa for tourism, business or transit for up to 30 days, with the policy currently in effect until December 31, 2026.

“Canadians are so used to being visa‑free everywhere and now China is getting the visa free for Canadians so it is so easy now. Almost all the Asian countries don’t require visas,” said Chen, assistant general manager at TripOppo.

READ MORE: China confirms visa-free access for Canadian visitors from Feb. 17

For a market long held back by paperwork, the change is significant. With multi-page visa forms no longer required for China, advisors can now position Asia as a more accessible and hassle-free international destination option.

Safe & easy to access

China is seeing the most dramatic growth in Asia. TripOppo now offers nearly ten routing options, including rural regions and multi‑city combinations.

First‑timers tend to gravitate toward the classic Golden Triangle itinerary of Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai.

Younger travellers, influenced in part by social media, are showing interest in lesser‑known destinations like Zhangjiajie (the “Avatar Mountains”) and Chengdu, the panda capital of the world.

Meanwhile, the 17‑day China + Yangtze cruise remains the top seller for Canadian travellers.

Chen emphasized that travellers are embracing Asia for many reasons.  “Asia, it’s safe and easy to access. You can’t beat the affordability, the value, and the culture,” she said.

With strong flight connectivity and competitive pricing, Asia is becoming a top choice for families, mature travellers, and first‑timers alike, with Vancouver and Toronto leading the gateways to Asia.

Shorter lead times

Booking windows have also shifted dramatically. According to Jason Jia, director of reservations and operations, “Before 2020, travellers typically booked Asia trips six to nine months in advance.”

“Today, we are seeing requests with shorter lead times, about three to six months, sometimes just two to three weeks before departure.”

The seminar also highlighted the growing appetite for escorted group travel, especially among mature travellers seeking structure, safety, and convenience.

TripOppo emphasized its support for advisors, offering customizable itineraries, marketing materials, Zoom presentations, and pre‑departure meetings.

With generous tour conductor ratios (e.g., 25+1 or 20+1), group travel presents a strong revenue opportunity for advisors looking to scale.

Beyond Asia, the session also showcased programs in other specialty destinations. Peru, Argentina & Brazil, Turkey, Egypt andJordan, and the Balkans appeal to private groups and culturally immersive travel alongside rapidly growing interest in long stay programs in Thailand.

TripOppo will host its second advisor session on May 21 in Markham, ON, in partnership with the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

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