Yearender: The world's top 10 tourism industry events in 2015

[Photo/China National Tourism Administration]

5. US Visa Waiver Program expanded to 38 countries

In May, US Commerce secretary Penny Pritzker said at the US Travel Association's annual IPW event that the number of countries qualifyingfor the Visa Waiver Program will be increased to 38. Visa wait time will be shortened and a series of Airport Action Plans will be implemented to simplify and streamline entry for visitors at 17 US airports.

For Chinese visitors in particular, whose number has increased steadily in recent years (the US received 2.19 million visitors from China in 2014, a 21 percent increase over 2013) and is expected to continue to grow in the near future, visa validity has been from one to 10 years.

This is all part of the US's efforts to attract more international visitors