European Tourists Now Favor China, Southeast Asia Travel Trends Begin to Shift

European tourists are shifting travel routes, with China now their preferred holiday destination, while interest in Southeast Asia starts to wane. European travellers are choosing to visit China due to flight restrictions and rising airfares. Citing VN Express via Kompas.com on Wednesday 20 May 2026, aviation expert Li Hanming said flights from Europe to China have surged amid strong demand. Li also explained that Europeans view China as an attractive destination this summer compared with Southeast Asia, where flights remain constrained. Additionally, jet fuel prices have surged amid regional tensions. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), fuel prices reached USD 181.22 per barrel on 1 May. China has also relaxed visa requirements for European travellers since 2023. Russia has barred several European and American carriers from using its airspace since 2022 in retaliation for Western sanctions over the Ukraine conflict. According to the British data-analytics firm Official Airline Guide (OAG), this ban could benefit Chinese carriers on routes to Europe. OAG also reported that the frequency of direct flights between China and Europe will rise in May and peak in August 2026 during the summer holidays. A spokesperson for Air France insisted that Shanghai-Paris flights would increase from seven per week to ten per week in September and October. Meanwhile, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will also raise the number of flights on routes to Beijing and Shanghai to Paris and Amsterdam, totalling 29 flights. The growing interest from European travellers is prompting several airlines to not only increase flight times but also deploy aircraft with greater capacity.