ABSTRACT
After liberation, tourism was not regarded as a business or industry. It served the purpose of special political activities and was regarded as a part of foreign affairs of the country. At that time, travel to China was tightly controlled. Foreign travelers to China were primarily members of exchange groups or invited special interest groups who did not pay the full expenses for their trips. The majority of travelers to China were overseas Chinese returning to visit the mainland. The first travel agency established after liberation was Xiamen Overseas Chinese Travel Service on November 19, 1949.
