Euro 2024 And Paris Olympics Fuel Surge In Chinese Tourists To Europe – Travel And Tour World

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Chinese tourists are eagerly anticipating an exciting summer in Europe, drawn by the Paris Olympics and Euro 2024. This summer, the thrill of these sporting events is expected to attract a significant number of Chinese tourists to Europe, according to domestic travel agencies.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most Chinese fans watched the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar from home. However, this year, summer travel bookings have surged significantly. Trips to France have increased by 80% year-on-year, while bookings to Germany have more than doubled, as per a Ctrip report released on June 26.

Even though destinations like Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia remain popular, there is a notable rise in long-haul trips to Europe, driven by events such as Euro 2024 and the upcoming Paris Olympics.

For Li Ao, securing tickets to the women’s tennis singles final at the Paris Olympics was a great relief. “My child loves tennis, and with summer vacation here, watching the tournament live is a stroke of luck for us,” he shared, hoping the trip would create lasting memories for his child.

Recognizing the importance of sports in shaping character and instilling values, Chinese parents are increasingly encouraging their children to engage in physical activities. Government initiatives, like the inclusion of physical education in high school entrance exams, have bolstered this trend.

According to Ctrip data, hotel bookings in Paris during the Olympics have increased by 108% year-on-year since June, with flight bookings to the city rising by 85%.

Euro 2024 has significantly highlighted the appeal of sports among Chinese tourists. Qunar, an online travel service provider, reported a doubling of flight bookings to Germany during the football event and a 1.5-fold increase in hotel bookings, with prices rising by 25%. Searches for Berlin, the host city of the Euro 2024 final, surged by 253% over the last week.

A corporate legal officer named Ma recently returned from Germany, where he spent six times the normal ticket price to watch the Euro 2024 match between Slovenia and Denmark. Despite visa challenges, Ma traveled via Barcelona, where he visited the FC Barcelona Museum and bought football souvenirs for his son. “It’s a pity my son was in school and missed the trip,” he said, planning to take his son to Portugal next year to visit the home of football legend Cristiano Ronaldo.

Interest Spreads Beyond Main Events

The Euro 2024 and Paris Olympics have not only boosted travel to Germany and France but also sparked interest in other European destinations, said Cheng Chaogong, a researcher at Tongcheng Travel. Chinese tourists are showing increased interest in Paris, Berlin, London, Madrid, and Athens. Many group tour packages have sold out on the platform.

“Inquiries for chartered tours to France and neighboring countries have significantly increased,” said Li Jiang, a provider of European chartered tour services. Popular routes include ‘France-Italy-Switzerland’ and ‘Netherlands-Belgium-Luxembourg-France’.

However, some travelers, like corporate manager Wang, are opting for less crowded destinations to avoid peak tourist seasons. Wang has booked a mid-August tour to the Nordic countries, taking her 70-year-old mother and two sons on the trip. Despite her extensive business travel experience, Wang chose a travel agency for peace of mind due to recent unrest in Europe. “It’s crucial for my mother to explore while she is still physically able,” Wang said.

According to Tongcheng Travel, travel groups with children make up 33.8% of international flights during the 2024 summer holidays, while those including senior travelers account for 22.5%, up four percentage points year-on-year. Cheng predicts a significant surge in Chinese families traveling abroad with elderly members this summer.