2018 FIFA World Cup: Chinese fans still planning trips to Russia

World
Europe

02:19

During the World Cup, Chinese fans have found it easier to travel to Russia with a much shorter distance to make up than to Brazil and South Africa, which hosted the previous two editions. Some from the PRC are even still trying to get their hands on tickets which, as Zhang Yue tells us, is proving to be quite an expensive task.

Li Minghai went to a travel agent in Huangpu today to find out about a trip to Moscow for the finals on July 15th with his friends.

LI MINGHAI CHINESE FOOTBALL FAN "I didn't have the chance to go to Russia at the beginning of the World Cup last month because I had to work. Now I am taking my vacation and I am planning to fly to Russia with my friends. I will spend around 50,000 yuan on the trip."

HUANG LING SPRING TRAVEL AGENCY MANAGER "Anyone buying tickets at this point in the event will have to customize their plans as there are no group tours left. Trips cost at least 10,000 yuan, and that doesn't include tickets to the games. Russia's decision to allow football fans to enter the country during the tournament without a visa, makes it easier for Chinese tourists."

At a travel agency in Changning, the manager said that average price for a trip including match tickets is about 50,000 yuan.

"30,000 to 40,000 yuan per person is fine to me because I can go to any particular area with just my own friends or family. I don't like other people to lead my way."

"I am willing to pay 20,000 for each one. I am planning a unique summer trip for my son during the summer vacation."

FANG LIANG CTRIP TRAVEL AGENCY STAFF MEMBER "Starting from the Brazil World Cup in 2014, people realized that watching World Cup matches on-the-spot is not that difficult to achieve. Bookings for tours to Russia during the first seven months of 2018 were almost double the year-earlier level, setting a record. We have been taking orders since January this year."

Shanghai has been the biggest source of Chinese fans heading to the tournament, followed by Beijing and Chengdu. Total spending by Chinese tourists during the World Cup is expected to reach 3 billion yuan. ZHANG YUE, ICS FOR CGTN, SHANGHAI.