When you come to Asia and get into the “anime style” of life, which is present in everything from signage to things in the store, you can’t help but want to smile. Travel agents told how Russian tourists react to China’s “childish cartoonishness” and how demand for China is growing.
In China, in the beautiful city of Zhangjiajie in Hunan Province, a major departure of travel agents from all over Russia is taking place these days, timed to coincide with the international conference on inbound tourism to China, organized by China Hot Tour.
TRAVEL AGENTS TOLD HOW TOURISTS REACT TO CHINA’S “CARTOONISHNESS”
Many of the representatives of travel retail are in China for the first time. Speaking about vivid impressions, the travel agents drew attention not only to nature and architecture, but also to the “anime style” of China, which is inherent in many Asian countries. According to travel agents, China is in the perfect balance between digital realism and “cartoonishness.”
In a conversation with a correspondent of Vestnik ATOR on this topic, both the Chinese themselves and travel agents told how the vivid image of China and Asia in general is perceived by tourists.
“I can’t say for sure why we Chinese are so fond of things designed with a bias towards “fantasy” and “cartoony”. It probably makes us feel positive. And not just us, but everyone around us. We don’t like boring colors, we paint our lives in bright colors,” said a Chinese tour guide who is currently working with a group of Russian travel agents, answering a question from Vestnik ATOR.
Representatives of the Russian travel retail, in turn, agreed with the fact that “cartoonishness” gives a positive impression.
“Our tourists who go on vacation to Thailand, Vietnam, and China are always very positive about the “fabulous” world of these countries. Tourists say that their real life is often too serious. And on vacation, they want maximum ease. And all these unicorn bunny bears on clothes, signs, cups with drinks, cartoon characters, anime airbrushing fully meet such requests. Moreover, tourists are “infected” by this cartoonishness and start buying various bright souvenirs,” said Marina Glyak from the Mag Travel travel agency (Podolsk).
Another representative of the travel retail, who is currently in China, drew attention to the demand for Asian “cartoonishness” among young travelers.
“Before the pandemic, China’s main resort, which attracted a massive flow of Russians, was Hainan Island. There, as in the whole of China, there are no problems with mimimi. Our tourists have always said that their children are delighted with this aspect of Asian reality. In addition, China is very fond of children. Which is also important. If we talk about adults, then all this sweetness relaxes them too, helps them escape from the mundane. Personally, I’m thrilled too. I like the combination of bright colors of Asia. For example, red cartoon signs perfectly match the color of juicy greenery,” says Alexey Filatov from the ANEX Tour franchise agency in Samara.
Are there any tourists for whom “cartoonishness” becomes a reason to go to Asia? Travel agents give an affirmative answer, but with clarifications.
“When we talk about China and Asia in general, we always talk about a kaleidoscope of emotions. And, yes, the opportunity to relax side by side with the fabulous world of all kinds of cartoon characters strengthens the desire of tourists to spend their holidays in Asia,” emphasizes Ekaterina Prisekina from the travel agency Zanzibar (Barnaul).
RUSSIANS ARE RETURNING TO CHINA ON VACATION
As for the restoration of Russian tourists’ interest in holidays in China, according to travel agents, they are already recording it.
“In Moscow, many tourists began to be interested in tours to Hainan Island, as well as combined tours with sightseeing programs. The demand for excursion programs is still hindered by the visa issue, and for Hainan Island by the lack of a flight program on direct flights,” said Maria Konstantinova, Senior Tourism Manager at the Tour Store company.
Another representative of the tourism industry said that he had visited Hainan before coming to Zhangjiajie.
“Tourism on the island is actively recovering. But so far, mainly at the expense of the local market. There are no available places in popular hotels. I have also met Russian tourists, but there are few of them. If we talk about the readiness of the hotel base, then it is normal. Everything is working, everything is functioning. We are waiting for direct flights together with tourists,” the travel agent said.
Read more about how the demand for holidays in China is recovering in Moscow and the regions in the upcoming issues of Vestnik Gazeta.
Alexandra Polyanskaya
