A small Hungarian town located along its border with Romania has experienced a surge in the property sector and resort business since Romania joined Europe's visa-free Schengen zone at the beginning of the year.
The historical town of Gyula in southeastern Hungary is transforming from a quiet town with a medieval castle into an investment destination and even a place where people from neighboring Romania start a new life.
One new arrival is Eva Kun, who recently purchased a home with her family after years of living on the other side of the border.
"In Romania, houses are very expensive. And here is cheaper," she said.
Her family paid just over 22,000 U.S. dollars for a fixer-upper. Back in Romania, they said that a similar property would have cost nearly four times as much.
Local real estate agent Gabor Nagy said that Gyula's market has taken off since Romania joined the European Union's border-free Schengen zone.
"Property here costs about a third of what you'd pay in Romania's big cities. Some people buy weekend homes, but others are settling here for good - partly because nearby Gyula is a popular spa town with plenty of job opportunities," he said.
Gyula, with a population of 26,000, has long been known for its thermal bath and a 15th-century brick fortress. For years, this small town lured visitors seeking rest and renewal. But these days, its appeal is broadening.
This year, real estate searches for properties in Gyula by Romanians have increased by 90 percent, with tourist numbers also surging by 50 percent.
That attention has brought investors. Louis van Balen, once a music executive, is now betting big on Gyula. He's investing 20 million U.S. dollars in a large wellness resort.
"We are here building a place with approximately four hectares in a wood area of 66 hectares. It's going to be a kind of family park," he introduced.
His vision is affordability, not extravagance. He said that a week-long stay in a furnished yurt will cost around 160 U.S. dollars.
"This is only under 140 euros a week, seven days. So it's very cheap. And we even make money. But this we specially created for the people who don't have such much money," he said.
Van Balen hopes that this price tag will attract tourists from neighboring countries and even more distant European countries such as Germany.
Hungarian border town benefits from Romania's entry into Schengen zone
As temperatures soar across the Northern Hemisphere, a growing number of global travelers are heading to China in search of cooler destinations, turning summer tourism into a new driver of the country's inbound travel and consumption.
Data released by the Ministry of Public Security on Friday showed that China recorded 22.91 million inbound trips by foreign nationals in the first half of the year, up 20.4 percent year on year. Among them, 17.82 million trips were made by travelers entering under visa-free policies, a 30.6 percent increase from a year earlier.
According to data from third-party travel platforms, European countries accounted for 30 percent of the top 20 source markets for inbound tourism during this year's summer holiday season. Bookings from European travelers surged 275 percent year on year, while ticket reservations for attractions increased more than 20 folds.
China's scenic destinations with mild climates have become popular choices for overseas tourists seeking relief from the summer heat.
Located in central China's Hunan Province, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is famous for its stunning sandstone mountains, dense forests and pleasant summer temperature, attracting visitors from Europe, Southeast Asia and other regions who come to enjoy its cool mountain air and stunning natural beauty.
The city of Zhangjiajie now operates 13 passenger air routes connecting eight countries and regions, while streamlined entry procedures allow visitors to clear customs within about 30 minutes and head directly to tourist attractions.
Changbai Mountain in northeast China's Jilin Province has also emerged as a summer favorite. With average temperatures below 22 degrees Celsius from June to August, the destination offers visitors a cool escape surrounded by forests and mountains.
Amid the boom in inbound tourism, international visitors are impressed not only by the scenic destinations, but also by the convenience and quality of transport services.
A high-speed rail connection between Changbai Mountain and Beijing allows visitors from the country's capital to reach the destination in just over four hours, making the getaways even more convenient.
The city of Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, has seen a surge in inbound tourism so far this summer, as its pleasantly cool climate, expanded visa facilitation policies and diverse travel experiences attract more and more overseas visitors, particularly from South and Southeast Asia.
"Singaporean visitors mainly come for the pleasant weather, distinctive ancient towns and authentic local specialty food," said a Singaporean tour guide.
Beyond scenery, China's consumer products are also becoming part of the summer travel experience for foreign visitors.
Salah from India made Shenzhen's Huaqiangbei electronics market his important stop in China, where he bought lots of gadgets including a portable fan.
"I've already accumulated a lot of products, maybe four to five, like electronic cooling fan. I never saw this kind of electronic shopping center anywhere in the world, so amazing, amazing," said Salah.
Huaqiangbei has become a popular destination among foreign visitors and a trending location on overseas social media platforms. Local merchants have introduced cooling products such as mist fans and cooling towels tailored to different markets.
Whereas in Shanghai, foreign shoppers are lining up outside stores for popular Chinese brands. Some visitors arrive with pictures saved from social media, hoping to find products they have seen online.
"A lot of people are buying this brand. It's pretty famous over in North America. A lot of people know about it," said a customer from Canada.
"In Thailand, it's very popular," said a Thai customer.
With more convenient payment services and expanded departure tax refund policies, China travel is gaining popularity among overseas visitors, boosting hotels, restaurants and retail businesses.
Foreign tourists flock to China for cool summer escapes
