A five-month survey in China has found, despite the global financial crisis, 56.6% of those surveyed are maintaining plans for trips to Europe during the next two years. (Notice that the group surveyed was probably self-selecting. Do not read from these figures that over half the population of China is planning a trip abroad.France, Italy, Switzerland, Greece and Britain are the top five destinations. Our picture shows the celebration for Chinese New Year in London. And that is the Royal Academy of Art in the background.
The survey, co-conducted by the Beijing-based K&D Consulting and a number of European tourism bureaus and travel agencies, covered 14,391 qualified samples. The definition of qualified is not given which makes the survey somewhat suspect. .
About 44.5% said the downturn would not have any impact on their Europe-bound tours. Only 25.2% expressed concern about the crisis, and would change their plans to visit nearer regions.
China View reported the survey also found 74.5% of Chinese tourists to Europe chose to stay from one or two weeks, with an average spending of RMB25,000 (about $3,659), of which RMB10,000 went on shopping. The true worth and accuracy of such surveys is open to debate.