Published on : Monday, February 18, 2019
Italy isn’t the most convenient getaway from Mainland China, and due to this, it dropped out of the top 10 most popular destinations for the holiday this year, with more Chinese travelers opting for short-haul destinations. Italy was the 12th most popular destination this year, just behind Spain. However, China’s largest online travel agency, Ctrip.com International, listed Italy as the 10th most popular destination for the holiday this year. Surprisingly, Italy turned out to be the seventh most popular destination for young travelers in 2019.
Rome welcomed the influx of tourists with traditional Lunar New Year decorations at Fiumicino International Airport, as well as at businesses and museums throughout the Eternal City. Shops, museums, and even taxis accepted Alipay and WeChat Pay for increasing travel spending during the holiday. Popular shops like La Rinascente even offered holiday discounts for tourists using the popular mobile payment platforms. The high-end department store has also added Mandarin-language services, including a WeChat account, to meet the growing number of independent Chinese travelers.
With more Chinese tourists flocking to Italy over the years, they’re now searching for more personalized experiences beyond shopping. The visitors are interested in culture, history, and nature, along with discovering Italian cuisine and wine. Younger travelers tend to plan out their trips well in advance. Tour guides have said that the Chinese tourists are heavily targeted as potential buyers, but they have become more restrained in their spending. The guides have also said that Chinese tourists are searching for the best-quality products they can find.
Additionally, Chinese tourists are beginning to branch out of the more popular destinations like Rome, Venice, and Milan. Island tours of Sardinia and Sicily have become more popular recently. And thus, Italy is seeking new ways to lure more Chinese tourists.
Tags: Chinese tourists