Hotel & Tourism SMARTreport #40

EVENTS
Hotel & Tourism
SMARTreport #40
2018 Autumn Edition 11
© ITB China 2018
Media at opening ceremony
of ITB China 2018
ITB CHINA
FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH
The stepping-stone to understanding and connecting with the
Chinese Travel Industry
According to the China Tourism
Academy, more than 130
million Chinese travelled to
overseas in 2017, a 7% growth
on a year-over-year basis and
more than 5 billion Chinese
travelled domestically in 2017, a 69%
growth comparing to 2012 and 11%
in average annual growth rate.
General attitudes towards Chinese
travel behaviour are changing,
and the challenges, as well as
opportunities concerning the industry
will be key topics at ITB China 2019.
In order to attract more Chinese travellers,
destinations and countries at ITB China can
learn how to provide more individual travel
experiences, or give better access to
online information. They will discover the
importance of creating visa-free travel for
Chinese visitors, and learn how to leverage
all new media platforms to engage
and connect with Chinese travellers,
who very much rely on tech services,
such as mobile messaging apps or
microblogging sites in order to find and
book holidays.
The image of a Chinese tourist group,
speed-visiting various destinations in a
tremendously short period, protected
in the bubble of a guided group, has
become a wide-established cliché. Young
Chinese travellers are now seeking
individual experiences rather than going on
all-inclusive tours as their parents used to. The
customising process starts by understanding
the needs of the Chinese individual, the
family, the millennial or group, and filtering
down the possibilities to a personalised
travel schedule that fits them best. Chinese
travellers are increasingly looking for trips
that match their interests and hobbies.
Themed travel, such as food travel, island
travel or sports travel among others, offers
the opportunity for a better connection with
a country or other special interests.
With requests for customised and
personalised vacations rising sharply,
ITB China, taking place from 15 – 17
May 2019 in Shanghai, provides both
agents and traditional tour operators a
platform to change their businesses to meet
that demand. The event is establishing itself
as the must-attend trade fair for anyone
looking to build a strong presence in China
ABOUT ITB CHINA
More than 850 top and hand
selected buyers from Greater China
meet with industry professionals
from all over the world
ITB China Conference brings
together top speakers delivering
hours of discussion to offer a wellrounded
experience where industry
leaders will network and discover
the future of Chinese travel
Various networking events and a
unique state of the art matchmaking
system in order to enhance
networking offer different ways to
maximize business opportunities