Chinese travelers: the key for the French tourism development

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The economic development of China causes an invasion of Chinese tourists in France. The French governmental institutions that have in charge the promotion of france as a destination have begun to raise awareness to welcome more Chinese tourists.

Chinese tourists should become a strategic priority for France.

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1 / The explosion of oversea tourism

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Chinese tourism is growing rapidly. About 30% each year.
900,000 Chinese tourists came to France in 2010, increasing by 23% compared to 2009, you can see more in our previous article.

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2 / Chinese love France

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The vast majority of French people have a negative image of China. Conversely the Chinese have a very good impression of France. It is a dreamland  for them which is seen as a place of romance, delicious food and luxury. Chinese  like the unique landscapes of France. Women in China are particularly attracted to France.

According to a study by Atout France 71% of Chinese tourists who visited France recommend it to their friends. France is the European country most acclaimed by Chinese travelers.

Here is a slideshow of a Chinese photographer made ​​after his stay in France

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3 / France  as a destination

 

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Not only do the Chinese love France but they also plan to go on a trip in France in the coming years. Indeed, 88% of Chinese who never visited France plan to come to France within the next two years according to a study made by Atout France.

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4 / Shopping

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Many Chinese go to France for shopping. In other words, they come in France to consume. The Chinese have a culture of saving for better use later. They love  made in France products such as luxury goods, cosmetics, ready to wear, perfume or leather goods. They are very brand oriented  but are also very curious and eager to discover new things.

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5 / Chinese tourists spend a lot

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Chinese spend a lot. The average purchases of Chinese in France is € 3,100, the highest in the world (except Qatar).

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6/Hors season

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Chinese usually visit France during the low season for tourism. They prefer to go to France during the Chinese New Year, usually in spring. In my opinion, Chinese tourists  are a perfect complement of activity for the majority of companies working in the tourism industry.

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7 / “Special” Destination

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Special destinations in France are becoming very popular due to movies and TV soap operas. Provence and its lavender fields, Bordeaux and its vineyards, castles of the Loire impresses many Chinese visitors. I invite you to go to the article of a Chinese blogger on his trip to France.

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8 / Upscale trips

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Did you know that China is a country of millionaires ? The explosion of the Chinese economy has made hundreds of thousands of fortunes. These Chinese were enriched in a few years and are now the new rich. The behavior of this kind of consumer is the behavior of the “gambler”. They like what is best and more expensive. They do not usually speak English

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The French tourism industry really has tremendous advantages. But the misunderstanding of the Chinese consumers’

expectations, the lack of adaptation, the lack of visibility reall undermines its advantage a lot.

NB: Atout France is the result of the fusion of Maison de la France, agency promoting France abroad and ODIT France.