EASTERN European countries courting the Chinese market are keen to develop more niche tourism products next year to attract wine and gastronomy aficionados, golfers and wellness travellers from China.
“Educating the travel trade in Eastern Europe on the interest and travel needs of the Chinese traveller will be an ongoing process,” said Zsuzsa Vincze, a representative of the China-Central and Eastern European Countries Economic and Trade Cooperation Network formed last year.
She added: “China is an emerging market for Eastern Europe, and the growth is mainly driven by direct flights from Beijing to Prague, Budapest and Warsaw.
“We would like to encourage more direct flights from Shanghai and Xi’an to fly to Eastern Europe, as that will encourage more arrivals from China,” she said.
Since the launch of Air China Beijing-Budapest services via Minsk on May 1, Vincze told TTG Asia e-Daily that Hungary has enjoyed a 44 per cent year-on-year growth in tourist arrivals from China. There were approximately half million Chinese visitors to Eastern Europe in 2014.
Vincze said the network is educating East European hotels and restaurants to become more Chinese-friendly by rolling out facilities like hot water, free Wi-Fi and Chinese menus.
The network also works closely with China National Tourism Administration to promote tourism between China and Central and Eastern Europe.
According to Vincze, the Chinese counterparts will provide product presentations in Eastern Europe next year to promote different regions in China including Kunming and its surroundings.
Additional reporting by S Puvaneswary
