Tourists from 45 countries will be able to enjoy a 72-hour visa-free stay in Shanghai with all-round customized traveler services, sources said on Thursday.

Starting on Jan 1, tourists from 45 countries who have third-country visas and plane tickets can apply for a transit without a visa application in Shanghai. The city is the second on the mainland after Beijing to launch the new visa plan to boost tourism.

Officers examine equipment at Beijing Capital International Airport designed to process foreign visitors who can make 72-hour visa-free trips to the city from Jan 1. Shanghai is also undertaking preparations to offer the same service to international travelers. CAO BOYUAN / FOR CHINA DAILY

Shanghai-based China Eastern Airlines has planned a full package of services to make the three-day stay enjoyable for foreign passengers, sources from the company said.

"We have packaged our tickets with services including hotel reservations, car rentals, and one- to three-day tours. International travelers will be able to book all these services from our service hotline or our overseas sales offices," said Zhang Qing, deputy senior manager in the marketing development department of China Eastern Airlines' marketing and sales committee.

Booking services will be offered in several different languages, Zhang said.

The visa-free policy is expected to enhance the development of Shanghai as an international city, and stimulate the city's tourism industry, analysts said.

Shanghai already has a program that allows passengers from 32 countries to have 48-hour visa-free stays in the city.