Trip.com Group reveals travel trends during key sporting events

The summer travel season is in full swing, and Trip.com Group, a leading travel service provider, is witnessing a significant increase in bookings across Europe, mainly due to the football in June as well as a major international sporting event in Paris that kicks off in late July. There has been double-digit growth in travel bookings from global travellers heading to Paris this summer compared to last year, showcasing the potential of sports tourism to win a gold medal in encouraging travel consumption.

Who Is Travelling? 

Among travellers visiting Paris in July and August, there is strong demand from Asia, and other travellers from the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and the USA. Notably, there was also a 105% surge in orders from Chinese consumers. Paris remains a top destination for Chinese travellers, reflecting their strong desire to experience the French capital's culture and history.

Chinese tourists are showing a taste for luxury, with the highest booking volume for suites and king-sized hotel rooms among other travellers, reflecting a desire for more spacious and upscale accommodations during their stay. The average spending per Chinese traveller has risen by 65%, with an increase in 5-star hotel bookings from the previous year.

Asian fans also display distinct differences regarding major sporting events compared to their European counterparts. They prefer to combine their sports viewing with broader travel plans, with them, on average, booking longer hotel stays than European travellers.

Other sporting events, with their diverse range of sports and global representation, also attract international fans from Asia who often combine their attendance with extensive cultural and tourist activities. However, European fans, especially those following football this summer, primarily concentrate on cheering for their national football teams, with shorter stays dictated by the matches. This approach from Asian travellers amplifies the travel experience and encourages a deeper engagement with the host destination.

This summer, Asian travellers spent more on attractions than European travellers, favouring attractions like the Louvre Museum, Palace of Versailles and Seine River Cruise. 

Where Are They Staying?

French luxury hotels and even "palaces" are popular travel options in Paris. Within Trip.com's 2024 Trip.Best 100 Global list, a collection of curated travel ranking lists based on genuine user reviews and booking popularity. French hotels appeared nine times within the top 100 luxury hotels. Five Parisian hotels were ranked in the top 20, with Hotel de Crillon, a Rosewood Hotel in Paris, securing the top spot. This trend towards luxury is also seen in gastronomy, with Trip Gourmet witnessing a 20% rise in restaurant reservations with gastronomic honours, such as Terry's Café, Liberto, L'Imperatif, Chez Milo, and Le Procope restaurants.

For those looking for a unique experience, there has been over 20% increase in bookings for alternative accommodation, such as vacation rentals and boutique lodgings. Within the Asian-Pacific market, Singapore leads the way for such accommodation beyond hotels with triple-digit growth, closely followed by Japan with double-digit growth. 

More and more Asian travellers are choosing to explore cities other than Paris, with triple-digit growth among cities outside the capital. The top 10 cities and regions attracting travellers outside of Paris include Nice, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, and Nantes, of which Nice and Marseille, in the French Riviera, will hold football matches.