The number of Chinese tourists to Europe is expected to rise, despite the strict visa policy in European embassies.

Beijing Caissa International Travel Service said its visa successful rate reached 97.43 percent on average from the seven European embassies in the first half of this year, which can reflect the visa situation of EU nations.

Since last July, EU nations carried out stricter visa policy to Chinese tourists and the number of Chinese tourists to Europe has been lingering.

In the past year, Chinese government inspected and closed illegal travel agencies and foreign nations started promotion campaign, which pushed the growth of tourists.

Experts said if tourists can provide true and complete application materials and choose qualified travel agencies, visa issues will not be their barriers to Europe.

(Xinhua News Agency July 17, 2006)