| |

Italy attract a large number of Chinese tourists

Welcome to Italy—a playground for Chinese tourists seeking a dolce vita, literally sweetened by gelato on every corner!

Chinese tourists were more than 110 million to travel . They spent an amount of 130 billion dollars. It makes them the tourists to attract i

Chinese tourists in Italy

Italy, with its rich tapestry of history, culture, and unmatched culinary heritage, continues to captivate Chinese tourists, making it one of Europe’s most visited destinations by travelers from China. The allure of Italy’s art-laden cities, scenic landscapes, and world-renowned landmarks resonates deeply with Chinese visitors, whose preferences are increasingly shaping the Italian tourism industry.

Trends Influencing Chinese Tourism in Italy

  1. Luxury Shopping: Italy’s reputation as a global fashion hub is a major draw. Chinese tourists frequently indulge in luxury shopping, especially in Milan and Rome, where flagship stores of major Italian brands offer goods that are often less expensive than in China due to lower taxes and duties.
  2. Cultural and Historical Exploration: There is a growing interest among Chinese tourists in Italy’s rich historical and cultural tapestry. Cities steeped in history like Rome, Florence, and Venice are particularly popular for their museums, art galleries, and architectural marvels.
  3. Culinary Tourism: The appeal of authentic Italian cuisine also attracts Chinese visitors. Culinary tours, wine tasting in regions like Tuscany, and cooking classes have become particularly popular.
  4. Film and Literature-Inspired Travel: Movies and books have also inspired Chinese tourists to visit locations featured in popular media. For instance, the movie “Call Me by Your Name” boosted interest in Lombardy, while Dante’s literary works have enhanced the allure of Florence.
  5. Increased Connectivity: Improved air connectivity has made it easier for Chinese tourists to visit Italy. Direct flights from major Chinese cities to Rome and Milan are available, reducing travel time and hassle.
  6. Streamlined Visa Processes: Italy has worked to streamline visa application processes for Chinese tourists, including the introduction of more efficient and faster visa services, enhancing Italy’s accessibility.

What are most Popular Cities in Italy Among Chinese Tourists?

  1. Rome: Often the starting point for Chinese visitors, Rome offers a plethora of historical sites like the Colosseum, Vatican City, and the Pantheon.
  2. Milan: As Italy’s fashion capital, Milan is a magnet for Chinese tourists looking to shop. Besides shopping, the city is famous for its stunning cathedral—Duomo di Milano—and the historic Santa Maria delle Grazie, home to Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.”
  3. Venice: The charm of Venice’s canals and architecture draws many Chinese tourists. The Venice Biennale and the Venice Film Festival are significant cultural events that also attract visitors.
  4. Florence: Known for its Renaissance art and architecture, Florence is essential for culturally inclined Chinese tourists. The Uffizi Gallery, Duomo, and Michelangelo’s David are just a few of the city’s many highlights.
  5. Tuscany: Beyond cities, regions like Tuscany are popular for their scenic beauty and agritourism experiences. The rolling hills, vineyards, and quaint villages offer a peaceful retreat from urban centers.

Italy: Where Chinese Tourists Shop ‘Til They Drop, Sip Wine, and Snap Selfies

Imagine a place where you can trace the footsteps of gladiators, negotiate with high-end fashionistas, and feast on a pizza where the cheese stretches longer than the Great Wall.

 Italy’s magnetic allure for Chinese travelers:

  1. Rapid Growth in Tourist Numbers: In recent years, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Italy has seen a remarkable uptick, with an annual growth rate exceeding 20%. This spike is a testament to Italy’s rising popularity within China’s massive travel market.
  2. Top Spender Status: Chinese visitors lead as top spenders in Italy, with an average expenditure that outstrips nearly all other international tourists. In fact, they spend approximately 50% more than the average European visitor, making them a prized demographic for Italian businesses.
  3. Cultural Hotspots Dominate: Over 60% of Chinese tourists prioritize visiting Italy’s renowned cultural sites, from the Vatican’s sacred walls to the rustic ruins of Pompeii, proving that their love for history is as deep as their pockets.
  4. Increase in Visa Issuances: Reflecting the growing interest, Italy has ramped up its visa issuances to Chinese citizens by 30%, streamlining processes to ensure the journey to pasta paradise is as smooth as olive oil.
  5. Social Media Influence: Thanks to viral moments on Weibo and Douyin, Italian destinations have seen a spike in Chinese visitor numbers. For instance, posts about the quaint canals of Venice have led to a 40% increase in bookings for gondola tours among Chinese tourists.

With their voracious appetite for Italy’s culture, luxury, and landscapes, Chinese tourists are reshaping the tourism landscape—one selfie at a time. Italy, with its open arms and overflowing wine glasses, continues to say “Benvenuti!” (Welcome!) to its guests from the East.

Italy Promotion based on B2B partnerships

Italy’s strategic marketing efforts, including partnerships with Chinese travel agencies and investment in Mandarin-speaking guides, have been pivotal in accommodating and attracting more tourists from China. As travel preferences evolve, Italy continues to adapt, ensuring it remains a top-tier destination for Chinese travelers seeking a blend of luxury, history, and natural beauty.

Italy is present on the top 10 destinations where the Chinese are willing to go on 2014 to 2020

It’s the first European one to appear in the list, and it’s overtaking France, Switzerland and Great Britain.

Before Covid Time

They were more than 477,000 in Italy last year. Most of them were in Lombardy, where the capital is Milan, Tuscany, especially for Florence, Veneto, for Venice and Lazio for Roma. They stayed approximatively 6,3 days according to the Bank of Italy. China Tourism Academy reported that the satisfaction index of the Chinese people during their travels in Italy was at 76.98. This research was conducted in 24 countries and the best rated countries were Italy, the United States and Singapore.

Why Italy attract Chinese tourists?

Italy attracts Chinese tourists because of their luxury brands & shops.

Some of the biggest high-end brands are in Italy like Gucci, Prada and Dolce & Gabbana.

Indeed, Italy is considered as one of the best country to do shopping. Chinese tourists are usually people who are wealthy, and it means they can afford luxury products. Having luxury products is good in China.

Power of Italian luxury houses in China

Some luxury brands are imported in China but they are more expensive than in other countries: for example, Gucci products are 20% more expensive in China than in Europe.

So they take advantage of their travels to buy their luxury products. Milan is the favourite destination for the Chinese who want to do shopping. It represents approximatively 33% of all the luxury spending in Italy.

pradashop

They also came in Italy to see Italian landscapes and the most famous place in Italy as Roma, Venice, Florence and Pisa.

Italy Milan Venise Venise2

They should really like the Typical Italy Rural Area

They can also enjoy rural areas that they don’t have in China, like the typical fields and houses in Italy’s countryside. Chinese people will also enjoy Italian food: Chinese tourists are known to favour their own food in foreign countries, they won’t try other food. Recently, a hotel in the Maldives forbid means to warm water to avoid Chinese people to do instant noodle in their room and not go in the local restaurants. But Italy is famous for its pasta, a dish very close to the favourite Chinese dish: the noodles. In fact instead of referring to “pasta” when talking about Italian food, they just say “Italian noodle”. In the field of the gastronomy, Chinese people are more and more aware of existing wines, and they begin to really appreciate it, more the European wine. Italy has famous wines that Chinese people really love. During their trips in Italy, Chinese people will visit cellars and vineyards. They will like tasting the local wine where it has been made.

italian wine

Italy’s want to attract more Chinese tourists but …

Chinese people like to travel but they don’t like too much administration processes. They will prefer a country that can provide visa easily than the contrary.

What need Italy tourism to attract more Chinese travellers  ?

More information in the news, to inform Chinese potential travellers about all the city of Italy and not only Roma and Milan…

Suggest travel Itineraries online, to let Chinese People discover the most beautifull part of Italy.

Key Opinion Leader Campaign, or let Super Star of Travel to take beautifull photos and post on social Media to improve the awarness of the Destination Italy.

Social Media is so important of you want to attract Chinese Tourists more information here and Here.

How to Attract Chinese Tourists Through Little Red Book App?

Marketing Strategies to Attract Chinese Tourists

More information about how to attract Chinese tourists on our linkedin article.

Chinese tourist agency

Similar Posts

One Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *