First months of 2018 have proved a promising start of the Europe-China tourism. According to the latest report published by the European Travel Commission (ETC), more Chinese travelers have visited Europe since the start of the year.
During the first four months of 2018, the volume of arrivals to Europe from China has been 9.5% up compared to the same period a year ago. If taking into consideration bookings for May-August, they are already 7.9% ahead of the results of the previous year. This only proves that Europe is a dominating destination that keeps strengthening its positions. The worldwide figures of Chinese arrivals are below the arrivals to Europe the growth of arrivals during first four months of 2018 is 6.9%, and the growth of bookings for May-August is 6.2%.
In terms of the number of visits, Germany is the absolute leader with the growth in the number of arrivals of 7.9%. France occupies the second spot and enjoys 11.4% more visitors from China in January-April 2018. These popular destinations are followed by Turkey (+74.1%), Ukraine (+27%), and Hungary (+15.2%). Some European destinations also experience a significant boost in the number of bookings for May-August. For example, 203.6% more Chinese visitors plan to visit Turkey this summer. Ukraine is 38.3% up, and Hungary is 24.8% up.
July and August's bookings are particularly impressive as Europe is already 13.3% ahead of the 2017 results. Paris hotels, as well as hotels in other parts of the country, will greet particularly many guests from China as bookings are already 29.2% up. This will bring France as #1 destination in Europe, pushing Germany to the second place. Tourists from China are also more interested in visiting Central and Eastern Europe. The average increase in bookings across the region is 32.5%. Southern Europe will greet 28.5% more Chinese tourists in July and August 2018. Finally, the increase in bookings for Western and Northern Europe is 18.4% and 4.7% respectively.
Russia will also greet more Chinese visitors this summer as the country is hosting the 2018 World Cup. There is an extraordinary peak in bookings for the June 14th week of 173%, but there is an explanation to that this time coincides with the Dragon Boat Weekend in China. Another smaller peak is during the week of the June 12th, which is the final week of the World Cup. Bookings are 17% behind on that time.