Fiji Tourism Board Collaborates with Partners for Integrated Marketing and Limited-Time Flight Promotions
The Fiji Tourism Board and Fiji Airways have recently partnered with Ctrip Group and Fliggy Group to launch the Fiji “Global Promotion” campaign. This campaign offers Chinese tourists cost-effective flights and travel products to Fiji, aiming to actively revive the Fiji-China tourism market and provide Chinese travellers with affordable Fiji travel experiences.
The promotion is live on Ctrip and Fliggy platforms and uses integrated marketing strategies to reach potential Chinese tourists. From now until May 17th, Chinese travellers can book discounted flights and travel packages to Fiji through Ctrip and Fliggy, making it easy to start their journey to Fiji.
Targeted Advertising and Marketing Campaigns
Fliggy Platform: The Fiji Tourism Board collaborates with Fliggy to feature ads in various prime locations on the app, including the launch screen, home page recommendations, flight channel, and outbound travel channel. These ads direct users to the Fiji Airways global promotion page for booking, enhancing brand exposure and sales performance.
Ctrip Platform: Working with Ctrip, the Fiji Tourism Board uses diverse ad formats like launch ads, pop-ups, and highlight banners to cover a wide range of potential users. This approach boosts the visibility and influence of the Fiji destination brand. Personalised ad content and precise push strategies increase user interest and participation in the promotion, ultimately improving conversion rates.
By leveraging these partnerships and marketing tactics, the Fiji Tourism Board aims to attract more Chinese tourists and provide them with an exceptional travel experience to Fiji.
Chinese Tourists to Spain Surpass Pre-Pandemic Levels, Exceeding 100,000 Visitors
Significant Increase in Chinese Visitors
From January to February 2024, Spain welcomed 101,292 Chinese tourists, a 19% increase compared to the same period in 2019. This marks the first time the number of Chinese visitors has surpassed pre-pandemic levels. Each Chinese tourist spent €2,958 on average, highlighting China as one of the world’s most significant outbound tourism markets. According to Exceltur, Spain’s tourism industry is set to maintain its growth trajectory in 2024, contributing €202.651 billion to the Spanish economy—an 8.6% increase from the previous year. This will make up 13.3% of the national economy, the highest level in history. The forecast indicates that Spain’s tourism sector is recovering due to increasing tourism demand and the developing of more sustainable and experiential tourism products.
Record-Breaking Airport Traffic
Spain’s airport network, operated by the Spanish National Aviation Authority (AENA), handled a record 60.8 million passengers in the first quarter of this year. This represents a 13.2% increase compared to last year and is 15% higher than pre-pandemic levels. In March alone, driven by Easter travel, passenger traffic grew by 13.8% compared to the previous year, with 191,378 flights, a 6% increase from 2023. In April 2024, the total number of international flight seats to Spain reached 10.4 million, an 11.4% increase from the 9.3 million seats in April 2023 and nearly 2 million more than in March.
Improved Air Connectivity with China
A Spanish National Tourism Board report indicates that flight connectivity between China and Spain is gradually recovering, surpassing 2019 levels. Additionally, connectivity between China and other international destinations is expected to recover, with over 2,500 new international flights anticipated. This increase in flights is expected to reduce airfare prices significantly.
These developments underscore Spain’s robust recovery in the tourism sector and the growing importance of Chinese tourists in its market.
San Francisco Travel Association Hosts 2024 China Roadshow
From April 11-19, the San Francisco Travel Association held its 2024 China Roadshow. This was the first major roadshow following the Association’s comprehensive resumption of marketing and promotion efforts in mainland China this year. The tour covered five cities: Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and Beijing, highlighting the importance of the Chinese market for San Francisco’s inbound tourism.Scott Beck, President and CEO of the San Francisco Travel Association, led a delegation from the San Francisco Travel Association and San Francisco International Airport. They visited several Chinese airlines and cultural tourism bureaus, engaging in discussions with Chinese outbound travel agencies, online travel companies, curators, and media representatives. During the roadshow, the delegation held talks with multiple airlines to facilitate more direct flights and the resumption of flights to San Francisco.
Economic Impact and Future Plans
According to the latest data from Oxford Economics, in 2023, China again became the highest-spending overseas market for tourists in San Francisco and San Mateo County since 2019, contributing $633.4 million. Chinese tourists ranked sixth in visitor numbers, with approximately 208,300 visitors, a 176.3% increase from the previous year.
The San Francisco Travel Association expressed their delight in returning to the Chinese market and sharing the latest developments in San Francisco with travel industry partners. This year, the Association plans to further enhance industry training and new route product design in the Chinese market. They will also strengthen social media promotion to help more potential tourists learn about San Francisco as an exciting and diverse top travel destination.
These initiatives aim to foster stronger connections and collaborations between San Francisco and its Chinese travel partners, ensuring that San Francisco remains a prime destination for Chinese tourists.
New Zealand Concludes Eight-City Roadshow, Looking Forward to Future Encounters
With the conclusion of the New Zealand Tourism Board’s Beijing roadshow on April 23, the 2024 New Zealand Destination Greater China Roadshow completed its tour across eight cities. Beginning on March 14 in Shanghai, the six-week roadshow attracted over 1,350 travel industry professionals, with more than 350 travel agencies participating. Additionally, over 60,000 people watched the Shanghai and Beijing sessions online. A special live stream sharing New Zealand study tour experiences also generated significant excitement in the industry.
Highlights of the Roadshow
The 2024 New Zealand Destination Greater China Roadshow introduced new content under the theme “New Seasons, New Offerings,” focusing on promoting New Zealand’s off-season travel products and advantages. The roadshow provided an in-depth exploration of new travel experiences, highlighting New Zealand’s year-round tourism resources, particularly spring, autumn, and winter. It also showcased resources and product designs for New Zealand study tours. Airlines shared the latest flight service information and special offers during the event.
Each of the eight stops featured unique and creative elements. Gregg Wafelbakker, General Manager Asia for the New Zealand Tourism Board, appeared as a digital persona and delivered fluent Chinese presentations that impressed the audience. Participants boarded the Shekou Cruise Center’s Greater Bay Area No. 2 cruise ship in Shenzhen to experience the “Fly via Hong Kong” sea-air intermodal service. Each roadshow location displayed immersive posters and mini installations and included interactive games and quiz sessions to deepen participants’ understanding of New Zealand’s all-season tourism products. Abundant prizes kept the enthusiasm high.
Tools and Training for Industry Partners
To help participants better grasp the content, the New Zealand Tourism Board highlighted the “New Zealand Travel Trade Cloud Link” mini-program at the roadshow. This tool provides first-hand information on off-season travel products. Additionally, the roadshow included a Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) marketing training session to inspire domestic travel industry partners in product planning and promotion, which received unanimous praise.
The success of this roadshow underscores the growing interest and potential for New Zealand as a year-round destination for Chinese travellers. The innovative approaches and comprehensive presentations ensured that industry partners are well-equipped to promote New Zealand’s diverse tourism offerings.
Poland Reopens 15 Visa Centers in China
The Embassy of the Republic of Poland in China has announced reopening 15 visa centres across China to handle Schengen and national visa applications. Visa appointment bookings started on April 23, and from May 6, 2024, visa applications submitted through the service provider VFS Global will also be accepted.
Locations of the Reopened Visa Centers
The reopened Polish visa centres in China are divided by consular districts as follows:
Embassy of Poland in Beijing’s District: Beijing, Changsha, Jinan, Shenyang, Wuhan, Xi’an
Consulate General of Poland in Chengdu’s District: Chengdu, Chongqing, Kunming
Consulate General of Poland in Guangzhou’s District: Guangzhou, Shenzhen
Consulate General of Poland in Shanghai’s District: Shanghai, Fuzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing
This reopening facilitates the visa application process for Chinese travellers and enhances travel and business exchanges between China and Poland.
(Source: Global Culture and Tourism Rankings)
Sri Lanka Continues to Waive Visa Fees for Citizens of Seven Countries, Including China
According to a report by Newsfirst on the evening of May 6, the Sri Lankan Cabinet has decided to continue waiving visa fees for citizens of seven countries: China, India, Russia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia.
This policy encourages tourism and strengthens international relations with these key countries.
(Source: Tourism Marketing Observer)
Malaysia to Further Simplify Entry Procedures for Chinese Tourists
On the afternoon of May 4, the Malaysian Immigration Department announced that it would further simplify the entry procedures for Chinese tourists. The new measures include waiving the requirement to show proof of financial capability and accommodation details during their stay in Malaysia.
These changes aim to make it easier for Chinese tourists to visit Malaysia, enhancing the overall travel experience and promoting tourism.
(Source: Tourism Marketing Observer)
Cuba Announces Visa-Free Entry for Chinese Citizens
On the evening of May 4, during the closing ceremony of the 2024 Cuba Tourism Festival, Cuban Minister of Tourism Juan Carlos Garcia announced that Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports will no longer require a visa to enter Cuba.
This new policy aims to boost tourism between China and Cuba, making travel more accessible for Chinese visitors.
(Source: Tourism Marketing Observer)