Hungary could be seeing a lot more Chinese tourists in future

Chinese travel platform, Ctrip, has signed a deal with the Hungarian Tourism Agency.

This signed agreement between Ctrip and the Hungarian Tourism Agency is another milestone in both the development of tourism and trade between China and Hungary and the long-term cooperation between China and the CEEC. Hungary was the first European country to sign a MOU relating to China's "One Belt, One Road" Initiative.

The Parliament Building in Budapest is a popular tourist destination of Hungary. [File photo: Thinkstock]

Eastern Europe and Hungary are rapidly becoming popular destination hotspots for Chinese travellers. According to Ctrip's November Statistics, Hungary enjoyed a 40% hike in growth year on year from visits made by Chinese tourists. They spent an average of more than 9,000 RMB per person in-country. Ctrip's 2017 October Golden Week Travel Report noted a 95% increase in visits to Hungary year on year. Moreover, searches on Ctrip for flights to Hungary rose by 70% during the past 11 months.

Interest in Hungary as a travel destination received a boost after the August airing of the Chinese TV Series "Love Actually." Sponsored by Ctrip and supported by the Hungarian Tourism Agency, the series was filmed on location in Budapest. Through their joint efforts, Ctrip and the Hungarian Tourism Agency, with support from the Hungarian government, will continue to provide Chinese outbound travellers with a wide range of exciting travel options.

Ctrip's Corporate Affairs Vice President Victor Tseng said, "Chinese travellers are increasingly discovering Hungary as a top-tier vacation destination. We look forward to working closely with the Hungarian Tourism Agency to continue to promote Hungary through Ctrip's leading online travel platform."

Mr. Tseng noted that the rapid growth of Chinese tourism presents broad prospects for development, and under the framework of the "OBOR' Initiatives and the "16+1 Cooperation", Ctrip continues to strengthen cooperation with all CEEC partners.