Summary
- Chinese tourism experiences a resurgence for Lunar Latest 12 months 2024.
- Outbound trips from China are expected to double this yr.
- Capability expansions for flights from Europe to China are ongoing.
The 12 months of the Dragon commenced on February 10, 2024, marking the onset of China’s 15-day Spring Festival. In anticipation of this event, preparations for the travel season, generally known as “Chun yun,” kicked off on January 26, extending the vacation period to a complete of 40 days.
In light of this, China has witnessed a resurgence of long-haul international travel because it welcomed the 12 months of the Dragon last weekend. Based on a report by China’s State Council, this trend is anticipated to proceed throughout 2024.
Is Chinese tourism to Europe increasing?
Last yr, following the abandonment of China’s zero-COVID policy amid a resurgence of infections, there was a notable reluctance amongst people to have interaction in travel through the Spring Festival. Nonetheless, this yr, with the resumption of normal travel operations, the Chinese are anticipated to take trips abroad.
Photo: TonyV3112 | Shutterstock
Based on a report by Oxford Economics, the variety of international outbound trips taken by Chinese travelers in 2024 is projected to double in comparison with 2023. While this signifies a big increase, it also implies that Chinese outbound travel volumes will still be 22% below the degrees recorded in 2019.
With Lunar Latest 12 months celebrations in full swing, airlines are increasing flight capability for Europe-China routes. Notably, British global travel data and aviation analytics provider OAG, reports airline capability growth in China from several European markets, including Italy, Turkey, the UK, and Spain.
As well as, significant capability expansions from China have been observed in key Middle Eastern destinations like Qatar and Saudi Arabia, that are crucial for connecting flights to other destinations. Furthermore, China’s capability has seen a notable increase in destinations like Egypt and South Africa in comparison with January 2019. Nonetheless, the capability for the Americas stays considerably diminished.
![A fleet of Chinese aircraft](https://static1.simpleflyingimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/shutterstock_693503746.jpeg)
How International Airlines & Airports Are Celebrating Lunar Latest 12 months
Lunar Latest 12 months falls on February 10 this yr.
It’s value noting that despite the resurgence in air travel demand, Chinese international capability stays 30% below the degrees observed in the primary quarter of 2019, in response to OAG.
Chinese tourism booms in Thailand
Thailand has observed an increase in Chinese tourists through the Lunar Latest 12 months celebrations. This development got here shortly after each countries agreed on visa-free arrangements to spice up travel between them.
Photo: PANUMAS PIX | Shutterstock
In September 2023, the Thai Prime Minister initiated efforts to draw increased arrivals from China by announcing a brief visa waiver for Chinese tourists. This interim arrangement swiftly transitioned right into a everlasting policy following the signing of an indefinite mutual visa exemption between Thailand and China, allowing nationals from each countries to go to one another freely, effective March 1, 2024.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Nithee Seeprae, the deputy governor for marketing on the Tourism Authority of Thailand, stated that Thailand has been welcoming between 27,000 and 28,000 tourists every day since February 1, nearly reaching pre-pandemic levels.
This contrasts with last yr’s figures of seven,000 to eight,000 visitors every day through the same period, with a complete of 500,000 for the whole month.
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