16 July 2024, 11:15

Record Summer Tourism in Europe

Europe is expected to have an exceptionally busy summer, with an increase in incoming tourists. In July and August, the number of international tourists heading to Europe is predicted to rise by 12% compared to last year, slightly above the global average of 11%. This growth is mainly driven by domestic tourism within the region, which is up by 10% compared to 2023, with significant increases from long-haul markets in the Asia-Pacific (11%) and the United States (21%).

The Asia-Pacific region is beginning to show signs of recovery, with significant increases in tourists from China (+64%) and Japan (+53%) compared to 2023. The surge in travel can be attributed to better air connectivity and the easing of travel restrictions. Although overall numbers remain below pre-pandemic levels, improved air connections have led to a sharp increase in travel from these countries. Particularly, China now accounts for a much larger share of seat capacity than before the pandemic (+12 percentage points). This is partly due to limited connectivity between China and the United States, prompting Chinese airlines to use larger aircraft for flights to Europe.

Events have a huge impact on tourism demand. For example, as the host of the 2024 European Football Championship, Germany saw a 19% increase in incoming tourists compared to the same period in 2023. Similarly, tourism demand during the Paris Olympics has increased, especially from key markets like China (+124%), Japan (+57%), Germany (+32%), and the United States (+25%). When looking at the destinations of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, there was a significant increase in incoming tourists during the concert dates compared to the overall summer. This includes cities like Stockholm (+136% vs. +15%), Warsaw (+203% vs. +31%), and London (+45% vs. +12%). These specific shifts are closely related to event dates, highlighting the major impact large events have on driving growth, even during economic downturns, as people continue to seek unique experiences. Destinations with well-developed infrastructure for stadiums, concert halls, or festivals will greatly benefit from this trend. 【Source: Tourism Review】

Croatia’s Tourism Industry 28 Million Overnight Stays in First Half of 2024

Croatia’s tourism industry is experiencing a peak season with promising trends and results. The excellent bathing water quality along the coast contributes to this success. According to research by the European Commission and the European Environment Agency, Croatia has the best bathing water quality in Europe’s coastal regions, offering holidaymakers the cleanest bathing water in Europe.

The latest data from the eVisitor system shows a significant increase in Croatian tourism. From January to the end of June this year, Croatia welcomed over 7.2 million inbound tourists, with more than 28.1 million overnight stays, up by 6% and 2% respectively compared to last year. This upward trend highlights Croatia’s growing appeal as a tourist destination.

In the first quarter of this year, Croatia’s tourism industry saw a 24.61% increase in foreign tourist revenue, surpassing the record levels of 2023. The diversity of tourists is also noteworthy, with most overnight stays in the first six months coming from Germany (5.7 million) and domestic tourists (3.7 million). This is followed by tourists from Slovenia (2.7 million), Austria (2.6 million), Poland (1.8 million), and the United Kingdom (1.3 million), indicating Croatia’s wide international appeal. In terms of accommodation, hotels (9.2 million) had the most overnight stays, followed by private accommodations (over 8 million) and campsites (5.5 million). 【Source: Tourism Review】

California’s Tourism Recovery Lack of Chinese Tourists

In 2023, tourist spending from the Asia-Pacific region in California was only about half of pre-pandemic levels. Ryan Becker, a spokesperson for Visit California, stated that 2023 data suggests travel patterns are “normalising,” after being disrupted during the peak of the pandemic and the implementation of global travel restrictions. As restrictions lifted, a significant rebound in travel patterns occurred, known as “revenge travel.”

However, not all areas have experienced the same level of recovery. For instance, despite a 7.5% increase in tourism spending in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2023 compared to the previous year (outperforming the state as a whole), spending still hasn’t reached pre-pandemic levels. One possible reason is the reduced number of Asian tourists, particularly from China. Asia-Pacific tourists were the largest contributors to international tourism spending in 2019, but their spending in 2023 was only about half of pre-pandemic levels. 【Source: China Travel News】

Thailand Expands Air Transport Capacity Targets 8 Million Chinese Tourists

Thailand is making bold attempts to revive its tourism industry, aiming to attract 8 million Chinese tourists this year, provided airlines increase their flight capacities. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) announced that achieving this goal hinges on restoring flight seat capacity to over 80% of pre-pandemic levels and extending the summer flight schedule until October.

By mid-year, Thailand had already welcomed 3.5 million Chinese tourists, leading in numbers among the 17.5 million foreign tourists. The influx of Chinese tourists has significantly boosted Thailand’s tourism, easily surpassing the numbers from Malaysia and India (2.4 million and 1 million tourists, respectively).

Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, Deputy Governor of Marketing for Asia and South Pacific at the Tourism Authority of Thailand, stated: “To reach the 8 million mark, we need to increase the number of flight seats from China. This is challenging as both Thai and Chinese airlines are dealing with aircraft shortages, with some prioritising domestic routes.” 【Source: China Travel News】