SHANGHAI: Tourists from China will be heading to Europe, the US and Australia in
droves during this winter break and also for next year's Lunar New Year holiday
season.
Japan, once a long-time favourite
holiday destination, will likely be replaced by South Korea as Chinese tourists
switch preferences amid a territorial dispute.
Due to a dispute between China
and Japan over a group of islands in the East China Sea, tours to Japan are
still suspended.
There are hardly any
advertisements for Japan holiday packages in newspapers or package brochures.
Tour agencies in Shanghai have
started promoting their holiday packages, a few months ahead of the Lunar New
Year holiday.
"A lot of tourists go to
Europe to see ancient architecture. Shopping is also one big attraction,"
said Vivian Zou, the Asia Pacific vice general manager of China Spring Tour.
"As for tours to America,
people visit famous universities. Australia is in summer when (China is) in
winter, so the warm weather attracts a lot of people."
The Chinese yuan has also
appreciated, making long distance travel to Europe, America and Australia more
affordable.
Travel agencies say tours to
Japan used to account for 20 per cent of their businesses.
Cruise tours were very popular,
because of Shanghai's proximity to Japan.
But agencies found they had to
adjust their packages, after diplomatic ties turned sour.
"Next year we plan direct
cruise tours to South Korea," said Zhao Dexiang, the deputy general
manager of Shanghai China International Travel Service.
"Since their tourism
resource is less abundant, we decided to offer themed packages like beauty
trips or medical trips to make the tours more attractive."
Travel agencies also plan to
promote Southeast Asia as a holiday destination in the coming year.
Among the highlights are new
attractions like Legoland and Hello Kitty Land Town in Malaysia, and the
aquarium at Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore.
The number of Chinese outbound
tourists is expected to reach 78.4 million this year, and the surge is expected
to continue in 2013.
- CNA/xq
Business & Investment Opportunities
YourVietnamExpert is a division of Saigon Business Corporation Pte Ltd (SBC), Incorporated in Singapore since 1994. As Your Business Companion, we propose a range of services in Strategy, Investment and Management, focusing Healthcare and Life Science with expertise in ASEAN. Since we are currently changing the platform of www.yourvietnamexpert.com, if any request, please, contact directly Dr Christian SIODMAK, business strategist, owner and CEO of SBC at christian.siodmak@gmail.com. Many thanks.
No comments:
Post a Comment