Why Chinese students are flocking to Britain for holiday learning

Ctrip forecasts that in three years' time 10 percent of these students will join summer camps.

Some summer camps are organized by Chinese secondary schools and universities for their students.

Others are hosted by third-party education organizations, such as New Oriental Education & Technology Group, EF Education and Pearson Global Study Tour.

Meanwhile, many niche players are also emerging in the market, offering tailor-made programs with the focus on music, drama and sports, among other trips.

Debrett's, the authority on modern British etiquette, runs a summer camp program focusing on teaching young children. The camp regularly attracts Chinese students.

UK-based CC Education runs an all-girls luxury camp in the English county of Hampshire, offering activities such as horse riding, cooking, painting, flower arrangement, dancing, music, arts and crafts.

CC Education is also launching a new program next year called Mum and Me to target Chinese and other Asian students who have limited experience of being away from home. The program allows mothers to enjoy their own activities, such as shopping, and to join their daughters after they finish class.

On average, an overseas summer camp trip costs about 29,000 yuan, significantly higher than the average cost of 4,200 yuan for a domestic study trip, according to Ctrip.

Wang Qingsu, a parent, says he feels overseas study trips are more attractive for parents who can afford to pay for them. His 11-year-old daughter Angela attended a UK summer camp last year.

"The trip allowed my daughter to improve her English, broaden her vision of the outside world, and develop an ambition to apply for university overseas later," Wang said.

Booming business opportunities, however, also create challenges. One big issue is the emergence of many different summer camps on the market, and many parents and students can be confused about which camp to pick.