This is the first time that a regional airport has a direct link to China. With this inaugural flight, the first in a long series, Marseille and Shanghai are further strengthening their twinning established more than 30 years ago. From this Tuesday 3 regular flights per week will allow Chinese tourists to come and discover Provence. Landing on Marseille soil on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. In the other direction, the Provençals will be able to reach the second city of China to then reach Japan, Korea as well as other Asian destinations or even Australia and New Zealand.
Elected officials and officials are not mistaken, Marseille and the Paca region have a lot to gain from this new connection regular. This morning, the Chinese representatives were welcomed with great pomp in the panoramic lounge of T1.
“Forget the image of Chinese tourists getting off the bus to take a photo and leave” Loïc Chovelon, general director of the Regional Tourism Committee
This first Eastern China Airline flight is 90% full. Inside the “new generation” Chinese tourists. “These are rather young, connected tourists, who travel individually, who are eager to discover our art of living, our heritage, our gastronomy” specifies Loïc Chovelon, general director of the CRT. Tourists who come from the second largest city in China, who have a comfortable lifestyle, who are looking for 4 or 5 star hotels and who are ready to spend around a hundred euros per day and per person. “This puts them almost at the same level as American tourists, who represent the main clientele for Marseille and Provence. Not to mention the business tourismsince close links have existed between Marseille and Shanghai for more than 30 years.
Another interest for our region is that Chinese tourists have no particular attraction to swimming and the beach. They are fond of heritage, gastronomy and culture. “In China the Count of Monte Cristo is on the students’ program, it is part of their imagination, there will inevitably be a particular demand for the Château d’If, estimates Loïc Chovelon. Chinese nationals who do not have the same holidays as in France and will also fill the slack periods.
Shanghai, a stopover to discover Asia
In the other direction, 3 flights per week will allow the French to explore the second largest city in China, with 30 million inhabitants. “Shanghai has changed a lot since Covid. Electric cars and scooters now make it an almost silent city, safety and cleanliness are pushed to very high levels” says Loïc Chovelon. “It is above all a very important transit airport for Asia. From Shanghai you can visit Japan, Korea, Thailandbut also go further, like in Australia or New Zealand” says Julien Boulay, director of the commercial service of Marseille-Provence Airport. 200 people have booked their ticket for the first Marseille-Shanghai flight this week.
