Travel surges amid rising Olympic excitement

Travel data indicates a surge in enthusiasm for travel between China and France, fueled by the excitement of the Paris Olympics and better international travel measures.

The number of flights and travel bookings between the two countries has increased as the 2024 Paris Olympic Games coincide with the 60th anniversary of Sino-French diplomatic ties.

From April 18 to July 17, 1,245 direct flights operated between the Chinese mainland and France, a 127 percent year-on-year increase, with the daily peak reaching 18 flights this year, according to VariFlight, a China-based global aviation data intelligence service provider.

Paris undoubtedly tops the destination list in France, with 1,231 direct flights shuttling between the Chinese mainland and France's capital from April 18 to July 17.The figure marks a 124-percent rise compared to the previous year, VariFlight data show.

Wang Zhichao, a young teacher at a university in Beijing, is exploring France on a month-long journey that began in Paris and includes iconic destinations such as Brittany, Bordeaux, Toulouse and Provence.

"It's a special journey down memory lane," Wang says. "I was an international student in France. This trip is a good timing as this year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries."

Similar to Wang, more Chinese tourists are drawn to immersive travel throughout France. The Olympic Games offer a great opportunity to delve into city walking tours, festivals and cultural activities, cuisines and other aspects of daily French life.

As of July 11, air ticket orders to Paris during the July 20-August 20 period were 2.3 times higher than the same period last year, according to data from the online travel service provider Qunar.

According to data from travel platform Ctrip, the number of independent travelers to France will quintuple during the Paris Olympics from a year ago.

"The enthusiasm of Chinese tourists to France and other European countries has been ignited by the various activities of the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism as well as the European Cup, the Paris Olympic Games and other sports events," says Wang Yalei, a researcher at the Ctrip Research Institute.

According to Wang, European tours encompassing France and neighboring countries are particularly popular, such as itineraries that combine visits to France, Italy, Germany and Switzerland.

"Better travel facilitation measures are important to boosting communication, especially for increasing economic and trade exchanges between China, France and other European countries," says Gong Yiting, branding and public relations director of VariFlight.

This year also marks the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism.

In France, Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport is establishing itself as a friendly airport for Chinese tourists.

The airport is committed to continuously promoting the travel experiences of Chinese tourists by displaying signs in Chinese, introducing more friendly services to Chinese tourists and upgrading terminals.

On July 2, China Eastern Airlines launched a new air route linking Shanghai with France's Marseille, marking the inauguration of the first regular direct passenger flight between China and southern France.

Previously, travelers from China to Marseille had to transfer via a third place. The opening of the new air route is expected to further boost tourism and economic and cultural exchanges between the two countries and cities.

"More travel facilitation measures are serving as an impetus to ignite more travel, communication and exchanges," Gong says.

Xinhua