Home » Destination News » Is Asia the top and new outbound destination for Chinese holiday makers this summer?
Friday, July 5, 2024
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It has been highlighted that the majority of Chinese tourists are opting for destinations within Asia for their summer travels. Despite the allure of major European events such as the UEFA European Soccer Championship in Germany and the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, which have slightly boosted Europe’s appeal, Asia remains the preferred choice. This preference is largely attributed to the convenience offered by visa-free policies available to Chinese citizens in several Asian countries.
Visa Policies Enhancing Travel Preferences
Countries like Malaysia, Qatar, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates are particularly popular as they do not require visas for Chinese tourists. This visa exemption has led to these destinations being even more popular than they were before the pandemic in 2019. Beyond these, a total of 20 countries including Thailand, the Maldives, Kazakhstan, and Albania have established mutual visa-free agreements with China, which has streamlined the travel process significantly.
Laos, for instance, has seen a remarkable increase in Chinese tourist visits, with a surge of over 140% this summer, credited to a new visa-free policy for Chinese tourist groups effective from July 1 to December 31. Similarly, Azerbaijan’s introduction of a one-year unilateral visa-free policy for Chinese tourists has sparked a 120% increase in searches for Azerbaijani travel products on Qunar.Com.
The Australian Connection
Australia continues to attract Chinese visitors with its five-year multiple-entry visa policy. Cities like Melbourne and Sydney are amongst the top picks, showing a robust connection between visa policies and travel choices.
Impact on European Travel
Despite Asia’s dominance, Europe has seen significant growth in Chinese tourists, especially tied to major events. Flight bookings to Paris in July have risen by over 70% from last year, with hotel bookings in the capital increasing nearly 150%. During the Olympics, group tour bookings to France have skyrocketed by 225%.
China’s Inbound Tourism Surge
The summer has also been booming for inbound tourism to China. According to Trip.Com, orders for inbound trips have doubled from the previous year, with significant contributions from countries that enjoy visa-free entry to China, including France, Italy, Germany, Malaysia, and Thailand, marking a 150% increase.
Global Impacts on Travelers:
Simplified visa processes have significantly boosted intra-Asian travel.Major international events like the Olympics continue to influence travel patterns globally.Visa policies remain a critical factor in shaping global travel trends, influencing both outbound and inbound tourism flows.
Source link : https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/is-asia-the-top-and-new-outbound-destination-for-chinese-holiday-makers-this-summer/
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Publish date : 2024-07-05 01:50:23
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