Spain Looks to Chinese Travelers

Spain's tourism industry is looking to Chinese tourists for its high-end market, according to the president of the Spain-China Tourism Association.

“It is the kind of tourism that is not only interested in the sun, beach and the all-included 【小题1】 . They enjoy good food, wine, history and nature, and the new Chinese tourists would also want to spend more money in Spain,” said Rafael Cascales in a recent【小题2】 with Xinhua.

The Spanish business leader described the 【小题3】 Chinese tourists as being younger, more international, and perhaps including more women. “They also travel on their own or in couples or in smaller groups. The 【小题4】 large groups of visitors have not disappeared, but this new form of traveling is becoming more important,” he said.

Speaking of the 【小题5】 pattern of the new kind of Chinese tourists the Tourism Association president said, “The money they spend is 【小题6】 better because they will book one flight with one airline, the hotel with another company and the restaurant with another.”

In his eyes, “Chinese tourists are very important because they 【小题7】 two things: there are a large number of them and they spend more money than anyone else — almost four times more than tourists from other countries.”

They not only travel abroad in the summer months when Spain has to【小题8】 with the sun and beaches in countries such as Turkey and Egypt, but also travel in the off-peak seasons of a year, according to Cascales.

Spain is the second most popular tourist destination in the world, only after France. It attracted about 82 million visitors in 2017, 700,000 of them from China, a number which the United Nations World Tourism Organization 【小题9】 will rise to about 1 million by 2021.

“We are ready; we have the infrastructure (基础设施)at every level, 【小题10】 in hotel capacity. Here those visitors can find what they are looking for, including the luxury items which distinguish them,” Cascales noted.

When planning your next travel adventure, make sure to do thorough research on the origin and cultural heritage of your chosen 【小题1】. This will not only enrich your experience but also promote better 【小题2】 with the locals. Keep in mind that understanding the history and customs of a place can 【小题3】 enhance your journey.

In many cases, travelers will find out unique experiences 【小题4】 while involving themselves in local life. Such unexpected discoveries often become the most cherished memories of their trip. It’s essential to 【小题5】 and a willingness to explore beyond the average tourist spots.

Moreover, if you 【小题6】 contributing positively to the places you visit, consider supporting local programmes or funding community projects. This is an excellent way to 【小题7】 a meaningful connection with the people and make a difference in their lives. The 【小题8】 purpose of travel should extend beyond personal enjoyment; it should also involve fostering mutual respect and understanding between cultures.

By engaging deeply with your destination and its people, you’re not just a visitor but an active participant in their story. So, always 【小题9】 travel with the intention of learning and giving back, as this mindset 【小题10】 simple sightseeing into a profound and rewarding human experience.

18th-century Grand Tour of Europe

The Grand Tour began in the 16th century and gained popularity during the 17th century. Privileged (有特权的) young European graduates 【小题1】a trend where they travelled across the continent in search of art and cultural experiences upon their graduation. This practice, which grew to be 【小题2】popular, became known as the Grand Tour. Speciality guidebooks, tour guides, and other aspects of the tourist industry were developed during this time to meet the needs of wealthy 20-something male and female travellers as they explored the European continent.

These young, classically educated Tourists were rich enough to fund multiple years abroad for themselves and they took full advantage of this. They carried letters of 【小题3】and introduction with them as they departed from southern England to communicate with and learn from people they met in other countries. Some Tourists 【小题4】to continue their education and broaden their horizons while abroad, some were just after fun and 【小题5】travels, but most desired a combination of both.

A typical journey through Europe was long and 【小题6】with many stops along the way. London was commonly used as a starting point and the Tour was usually kicked off with a difficult trip across the English Channel. Crossing the wide channel was and is not easy. Tourists in the 17th and 18th centuries risked seasickness, illness, and even shipwreck on this first 【小题7】of travel.

Grand Tourists were 【小题8】interested in visiting cities that were considered centres of culture at the time, so Paris, Rome, and Venice were not to be missed. The average Grand Tourist travelled from city to city, usually spending weeks in smaller cities and up to several months in the three 【小题9】ones.

The vast majority of Tourists took part in similar activities during their exploration with art at the centre of it all. Once a Tourist arrived at a destination, he would look for 【小题10】and settle in for anywhere from weeks to months, even years. Though certainly not an overly trying experience for most, the Grand Tour presented a unique set of challenges for travellers to overcome.