As tourism is one of Europe’s key industries, deepening tourism cooperation between China and Europe will help revitalize the continent’s economy.
Tour packages to Europe have been selling well since the start of 2023 since China eased international travel restrictions following the pandemic, travel agency figures show.
Traditionally popular European destinations such as France, Spain and Greece remain first choices for Chinese travellers, but “niche” destinations such as Serbia and Montenegro are also becoming popular.
“Some European destinations, such as Athens, Berlin, Milan and Zurich, have seen a surge in searches on our platform recently,” online travel agent Kunar said.
For example, from April 22-28, searches for tour products to Athens increased nearly threefold compared to the previous week, while searches for Berlin-related products increased nearly fourfold.
Qi Chun’an, vice president of TuNiu, said destinations in Central and Eastern Europe were also attracting Chinese tourists due to lower costs and relaxed visa policies.
“A consecutive trip to Austria, the Czech Republic and Hungary typically costs 25,000 yuan ($3,500) to 30,000 yuan per person in summer, while a trip to the UK and Ireland can cost nearly 40,000 yuan per person in summer,” he said. “And with direct flights from China to Eastern Europe and easier visa application procedures, Central and Eastern Europe is becoming more attractive.”
Tourism industry officials said Europe was pleased with the growing number of Chinese tourists, who would boost the continent’s economy and help boost tourism-related jobs.
According to Statista, a data analytics company founded in Hamburg, Germany, the total contribution of travel and tourism to Europe’s GDP was about $2.1 trillion in 2019, before the pandemic, but has fallen to about $1.9 trillion in 2022.
Travel and tourism makes up a large proportion of several European economies: for example, 24.8% of Croatia’s GDP in 2019 came from travel and tourism, according to Statista.
In a recent interview with People’s Daily, Sandra Carbao, head of tourism market intelligence and competitiveness at the World Tourism Organization, said that China is one of the world’s largest suppliers of tourists, and the recovery of China’s tourism market is key to the development of Europe’s tourism industry.
Eduardo Santander, secretary-general of the European Travel Commission, told People’s Daily that European destinations were making great efforts to attract Chinese tourists, including deepening cooperation with Chinese airlines and holding tourism exhibitions in China.
He said China was the second-largest supplier of tourists to Europe before the pandemic and said he expected to see an increase in the number of Chinese visitors to the continent this year.
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Tourists from around the world, including China, view the Eiffel Tower from the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, on Friday. FENG YONGBIN/CHINA DAILY
