The return of the Chinese consumers to Europe
Pre-pandemic, merchants in Europe were falling over themselves to accept Chinese payment methods both in store and online. According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), there were 141 million Chinese visits to Europe in 2019. Also, according to UNWTO, Chinese tourists spent an average of €1,919 per day in Europe in 2019, which is significantly higher than the average spending of other nationalities. The affluence of the Chinese middle class continues to grow rapidly, meaning the segment has more disposable income to spend on travel. In 2022 we only saw 25 million Chinese visits to Europe, representing a 44% compound decrease in visitor numbers between 2019 and 2022. As more global travel restrictions are relaxed, Mark Beresford (Director, London) has looked at the importance of accepting Chinese payment methods for merchants across Europe.
by Mark Beresford | Sep 05, 2023