Trip.com Group reveals travel trends during key sporting events

13.07.2024 - 05:51 / traveldailynews.com / Theodore Koumelis

Trip.com Group reports a significant rise in European bookings, driven by football events and a major sporting event in Paris, with notable increases from Asian travelers, particularly Chinese, who favor luxury stays and longer visits.

PARIS – The summer travel season is in full swing, and Trip.com Group, a leading travel service provider, is witnessing a significant increase in bookings across Europe, mainly due to the football in June as well as a major international sporting event in Paris that kicks off in late July. There has been double-digit growth in travel bookings from global travellers heading to Paris this summer compared to last year, showcasing the potential of sports tourism to win a gold medal in encouraging travel consumption.

Among travellers visiting Paris in July and August, there is strong demand from Asia, including the Chinese mainland, Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong, and other travellers from the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and the USA. Notably, there was also a 105% surge in orders from Chinese consumers. Paris remains a top destination for Chinese travellers, reflecting their strong desire to experience the French capital’s culture and history.

According to data by Trip.com Group, Chinese tourists are showing a taste for luxury, with the highest booking volume for suites and king-sized hotel rooms among other travellers, reflecting a desire for more spacious and upscale accommodations during their stay. The average spending per Chinese traveller has risen by 65%, with an increase in 5-star hotel bookings from the previous year.

Asian fans also display distinct differences regarding major sporting events compared to their European counterparts. They prefer to combine their sports viewing with broader travel plans, with them, on average, booking longer hotel stays than European travellers.

The average length of a stay for travellers from Asia has increased by 20% compared to the same period last year, with Chinese mainland, South Korean, and Hong Kong travellers staying the longest. This suggests that Asian tourists are extending their vacations to fully immerse themselves beyond the sporting event this summer.

Other sporting events, with their diverse range of sports and global representation, also attract international fans from Asia who often combine their attendance with extensive cultural and tourist activities. However, European fans, especially those following football this summer, primarily concentrate on cheering for their national football teams, with shorter stays dictated by the matches. This approach from Asian travellers amplifies the travel experience and encourages a deeper engagement with the host destination.

This summer, Asian travellers spent more on