The UK is looking to increase its Chinese tourist’s market share and has replaced the single entry one-year tourist visa, which was in place until now, with a two-year, multi-entry, visa to Britain and vice versa as part of both nations’ new agreement. This new system was initially agreed during the state visit of President Xi to the UK in October 2015.
Taiwan’s EVA Air launches direct flights between Taipei and Istanbul. The Turkish hub will become the fifth European destination in EVA’s network, following London, Paris, Amsterdam and Vienna. (EVA Air is also part of the Star Alliance). EVA will serve the route using its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, which offers more than 300 seats in three cabin classes.
Korean outbound travel hit a total of 66.37 million in 2015, up 7.7 percent on-year, according to data from the Korean Justice Ministry. The figure had crossed the 40 million mark in 2010 and the 60 million mark in 2014. 2015 has seen a massive 19.3% increase in Koreans travelling overseas. About 1.53 million travellers also took a trip abroad for the first time in their life.
Filipinos have been identified as one of the fastest growing travel spenders among emerging markets in 2013 & 2014. Philippines’ outbound expenditure last year grew 18 percent, second highest in the list of top travel spenders following Turkey, which registered a 24 percent growth. Other emerging markets with substantial growth in outbound expenditure included Indonesia, despite global economic challenges and a context of currency devaluation.
Bangkok, Thailand’s capital city, tops the regional rankings in terms of both visitor arrivals and expenditure. This invalidates the notion that terrorist attacks systematically have a disastrous impact on destinations. Thailand stands out as a particularly dynamic tourist market on both the inbound and outbound fronts. Emirates Airlines just launched their Thai mobile website, seeing Thailand as an important market to increase connection for Thais to Europe or the Americas.
Europe or the Americas.
The Chinese public’s appetite for international travel is stronger than ever, despite the headwinds currently affecting the Chinese economy. A new record breaking total of 109 million Chinese travelled overseas in 2015, spending US$229 billion in destination countries. China is now by far the world’s largest global source market for international travel. Europe is the most popular destination for Chinese travelling out of Asia, showing an increase of 97% in the last four years.
The Chinese public’s appetite for international travel is stronger than ever, despite the headwinds currently affecting the Chinese economy. A new record breaking total of 109 million Chinese travelled overseas in 2015, spending US$229 billion in destination countries. China is now by far the world’s largest global source market for international travel. Europe is the most popular destination for Chinese travelling out of Asia, showing an increase of 97% in the last four years.
Chinese “millennials” are said to pursue “meaningful, adventurous and exciting experiences”. They are also technologically savvy, with almost every traveller owning a smartphone and being active on social media platforms. 66% of Chinese “millennials” belong to the high income bracket and their financial standing is expected to increase as their careers advance. As of 2015, 70% of “millennials” hold executive or professional jobs.
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