Love and Producer x VisitBritain Special Collaboration Launched
Love and Producer has partnered with VisitBritain to introduce the “British Experience Seekers” special edition— “Discover the Unseen, A Different UK.” Four chief British experience officers are ready, and now producers are invited to join the journey and experience the unique British scenery. [Source: VisitBritain]
France to Implement Visa Facilitation Measures for Chinese Tourists
According to reports from French Business FM TV and Le Monde, France solidified its position as a top global tourist destination in 2023 with nearly 100 million visitors. This number is expected to be surpassed this year, especially with the Olympics. The Prime Minister’s office stated, “Summer forecasts are very favourable, with international tourist numbers in France expected to increase by 24%.”
While European tourists remain the most numerous, the French tourism board predicts a 45% increase in American tourists, a 46% increase in Brazilian tourists, and a staggering 350% increase in Chinese tourists. To encourage more Chinese people to choose France as their preferred destination, the French government announced that it will implement visa facilitation measures for Chinese tour groups and business travellers by 2025. [Source: Travel Industry News]
Swiss National Tourism Board Unveils New Brand Image
In 2023, the number of global tourist overnight stays in Switzerland increased by 9.2% compared to 2022. Visitors from Greater China spent a total of 816,690 overnight stays in Switzerland, reclaiming the top spot in the Asia-Pacific market. In the first quarter of 2024 alone, visitors from Greater China spent 153,723 overnight stays in Switzerland, marking a 92.2% increase compared to the same period last year.
On May 10, 2024, the Swiss National Tourism Board successfully held its summer launch event in Beijing. The board aims to continue engaging with Chinese tourists and attract more visitors to discover the perfect Swiss travel experience tailored to their preferences.
The Swiss National Tourism Board has been promoting tourism with the “Golden Flower” logo for nearly 30 years. Now, the board has begun a strategic rebranding, introducing the new brand name “Switzerland.” Along with this new name comes a distinct and recognizable digital brand image that represents a solemn promise to visitors worldwide, highlighting Switzerland’s unique qualities as a tourist destination: closeness to nature, hospitality, and reliability. Martin Nydegger, Director of the Swiss National Tourism Board, expressed his excitement: “The Golden Flower is a milestone for a generation of tourism professionals. The new brand image conveys trust, presents a fresh look, and is geared towards the future and the new generation.”
Swiss National Tourism Board Launches New Quiz Game “You Are x Little Swiss” with Prizes
The Swiss National Tourism Board has developed a new quiz game called “You Are x Little Swiss,” which helps tourists identify their travel preferences. This engaging quiz encourages participants to explore their interests and travel preferences, discover off-the-beaten-path destinations, immerse themselves deeply in nature, and customise their unique Swiss travel experience. [Source: Swiss National Tourism Board]
The 50th German Travel Mart Concludes Successfully in Chemnitz
On April 24, the German National Tourist Board successfully hosted the 50th German Travel Mart (GTM) in Chemnitz. This event showcased the unique charm of inbound tourism in Germany and attracted significant industry attention. Over the course of the two-day fair, representatives from 183 German companies, including sectors such as hospitality, transportation, leisure, inbound services, and regional tourism boards, gathered with 225 buyers from international travel companies and online travel platforms. Together, they engaged in in-depth discussions and negotiations about business cooperation for the upcoming year, resulting in 5,254 business meetings.
According to an on-site survey, 99% of respondents established new business contacts during the event, and 93% believed that the German Travel Mart provided a very good or fairly good business platform. [Source: German National Tourist Board Industry News]
Chinese Tourism to the US Shows Signs of Recovery, Expected to Reach 70% of Pre-Pandemic Levels This Year
The development of Chinese tourism to the US is still constrained by limited airline capacity, but it shows strong signs of recovery. The number of Chinese tourists visiting the US this year is expected to reach approximately 73% of pre-pandemic levels, and by 2028, it is projected to surpass pre-pandemic levels by approximately 122%.
According to the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO), the total number of international tourists visiting the US in 2023 was 66.5 million, representing an annual growth rate of 31%, although still only 84% of pre-pandemic levels. Looking ahead, the international inbound market in the US is expected to continue rebounding, with a projected increase of 17% in 2024, reaching 77.7 million visitors, just 2% below the 79.4 million visitors in 2019.
In comparison, the Chinese market, although lagging, also shows a clear recovery trend. Data shows that the number of Chinese tourists visiting the US peaked at 3.17 million in 2017, with about 2.82 million in 2019 before the pandemic. In the subsequent three years, the number of Chinese tourists dropped significantly to fewer than 400,000 per year. However, in 2023, the number of Chinese tourists rebounded to 1.078 million, a year-on-year increase of nearly 193%. The NTTO predicts that in 2024, the number of Chinese tourists visiting the US will recover to 72.7% of 2019 levels, reaching 2.058 million; in 2025, it will recover to 95.4%; and by 2028, it is expected to grow to 122.4% of 2019 levels, reaching 3.465 million. [Source: TTG Travel Industry News]