Tencent Partners with Tourism New Zealand
Tourism New Zealand (TNZ) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Chinese tech giant Tencent Holdings on May 2. China is currently New Zealand’s second-largest international tourism market, but flagging growth may have prompted TNZ to seek out this advantageous partnership. Through the agreement, Tencent will help TNZ with China-specific digital marketing strategies and will ensure that local businesses can reach Chinese consumers more effectively.
Labor Day Pandemonium
China’s Labor Day holiday began chaotically as an estimated 160 million tourists took advantage of the extended four-day break. The 17.24 million railway journeys made on May 1 set a national record, with some stations experiencing severe overcrowding. The situation on China’s roads was no less extreme with 40 major highways recording a 75 percent rise in traffic.
Chinese Millennials Are Increasingly Cruise Positive
Although the Chinese cruise industry is experiencing slower growth this year, one area that’s surprisingly robust is the 18- to 30-year-old market. Millennial cruise travel increased by 10 percent during the Labor Day holiday compared to the same period last year, according to a Ctrip report. Attracted by onboard facilities and the chance to escape the pressures of contemporary working life, the trend could prove to be a timely boon for major cruise ship companies who have invested heavily in the Chinese market.
France Promotes Itself With Touring Culture Festival
The 14th annual Croisements Festival, which celebrates cultural exchanges between France and China, opened this year in Beijing on April 26. France still stands as the leading European destination for Chinese travelers with around 2 million annual visitors, and Croisements is the largest foreign festival in China, touring 35 cities over 11 weeks — a dynamic means for promoting the country’s brand.
