China has increased the number of countries that its big-spending tourist groups can visit by more than 70 following the lifting of its last COVID-19 travel restrictions. But in a blow to this Canada’s tourism industry, this country was not among them.

Notable beneficiaries of the new block of 78 approvals by China include the US, UK, Germany, Japan, and Australia.

Canada, which continues to navigate strained political relations with the China over several issues including Canadian claims the country attempted to interfere in the last federal election, joins Saudi Arabia has the only G20 countries to lack approved status.

China’s decision comes as international flights to and from the country gradually return to their pre-pandemic levels. It is the third group of countries to receive clearance for travel. In January, 20 countries including Thailand, Russia, Cuba and Argentina received approval, while a second batch of 40, among them Brazil, France and Portugal, were authorized in March.

China implemented strict lockdowns and draconian travel controls within the country and closed its borders almost entirely after the virus was first detected in the central city of Wuhan in late 2019.

Those restrictions began to be lifted late last year, but the government has been hesitant to resume issuing passports and allowing in foreign tourists, as well as giving its citizens the ability to travel abroad. The expanded options for travel began on Thursday.

“The government agencies in charge will provide businesses in the tourism sector with the necessary guidance for the implementation,” the Foreign Ministry said. “At this moment, we would like to remind all outbound tourists to be well-prepared before each journey, stay safe and healthy and show civility as they travel, enjoy the trip and have a safe journey home.”

Chinese tourists, who generally travel in groups organized by agencies, are known for spending lavishly on hotels, tours, souvenirs, and designer brands. Pre-pandemic, they travelled in larger numbers and spent more as a whole than any other nationality, accounting for $255 billion in revenue in 2019, according to business consultancy McKinsey & Company.

Thailand, Japan, Australia, and EU countries such as Germany have been among the biggest beneficiaries of the Chinese tourist spending, given the relative ease of obtaining visas and the availability of flights.

Though it is unclear how quickly activities by Chinese tour companies will restart, a resumption means Chinese group tourists will return to Japan for the first time in more than three years and will be a major boost for Japanese inbound tourism.