Chinese tourism slow to return to Europe

Introduction

The recent years have seen a large influx of Chinese tourists to Europe. The number of Chinese tourists visiting Europe has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years and this trend has been seen in other parts of the world as well. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Europe has dropped drastically.

There are several reasons why Chinese tourism to Europe has been slow to return. Firstly, the fear of the coronavirus pandemic has led to many people, not just Chinese, becoming reluctant to travel. Secondly, the Chinese government has imposed strict travel restrictions, making it difficult for Chinese citizens to travel to Europe. Thirdly, the economic effects of the pandemic have caused many Chinese citizens to rethink their travel plans. Lastly, the lack of direct flights between China and European countries has made it difficult for Chinese tourists to visit Europe.

These factors have had a huge impact on the Chinese tourism industry, and it is clear that Chinese tourism to Europe is still very much in recovery. In this paper, we will discuss the various factors that have contributed to the slow return of Chinese tourism to Europe and explore the possible ways to encourage more Chinese tourists to visit Europe in the near future.

Background

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, Europe was a popular destination for Chinese tourists. According to the European Travel Commission, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Europe in 2019 was up 20% from the previous year. This growth in Chinese tourists has been attributed to the growing number of Chinese citizens who have become wealthier and able to afford to travel abroad. Furthermore, the increasing number of Chinese citizens who have studied or worked in Europe has also led to a rise in Chinese tourists.

However, with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Europe has dropped drastically. According to a report from the World Tourism Organization, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Europe in 2020 dropped by more than 70%. This drop in Chinese tourists has had a significant impact on the European tourism industry, as Chinese tourists are estimated to have contributed more than €75 billion to Europe’s tourism revenue in 2019.

The Fear of the Coronavirus Pandemic

The fear of the coronavirus pandemic is one of the main reasons why Chinese tourists have been slow to return to Europe. With the virus still spreading across the globe, many people, not just Chinese, have become reluctant to travel. This fear has been compounded by the fact that the Chinese government has imposed strict travel restrictions, including a ban on non-essential travel abroad. Furthermore, the Chinese government has also implemented strict quarantine requirements for travelers returning from abroad, making it even more difficult for Chinese citizens to travel.

The Economic Effects of the Pandemic

Another reason why Chinese tourism to Europe has been slow to return is the economic effects of the pandemic. The pandemic has caused many Chinese citizens to rethink their travel plans due to financial concerns. With the Chinese economy being greatly affected by the pandemic, many Chinese citizens have become more cautious about spending money on travel abroad. Furthermore, the Chinese government has implemented restrictions on outbound travel, including a ban on luxury spending, which has also led to a decrease in Chinese tourists travelling to Europe.

Lack of Direct Flights

Lastly, the lack of direct flights between China and European countries has made it difficult for Chinese tourists to visit Europe. The majority of Chinese tourists travelling to Europe must first transit through another country, such as Dubai or Singapore, which can be both time consuming and expensive. Furthermore, many Chinese tourists are reluctant to travel to countries with higher coronavirus infection rates, such as the United States. This has further limited the number of Chinese tourists visiting Europe.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is clear that Chinese tourism to Europe has been slow to return due to a variety of factors. The fear of the coronavirus pandemic, the economic effects of the pandemic, and the lack of direct flights between China and Europe have all contributed to the slow return of Chinese tourism to Europe. In order to encourage more Chinese tourists to visit Europe, it is important for the European tourism industry to create a safe and welcoming environment for Chinese tourists. This can be accomplished by increasing health and safety measures, making it easier for Chinese tourists to visit, and providing incentives for Chinese tourists to visit Europe. Only then can the European tourism industry hope to see a return of Chinese tourists to Europe.