From niche locations to immersion: Four nations witness shift in Chinese outbound travel

Pokorny added that many tourists no longer only focus on popular cities like Prague and Cesky Krumlov, but are starting to pay attention to the Crystal Valley, where there are nearly 100 glass manufacturers, and visitors can watch the entire glass-making process.

The demand for enriched experiences has led Chinese tourists to pursue integration into local life. "This is particularly evident among the younger generation," Kelemen said. "They walk the streets of Budapest with their families, admire the buildings and monuments, sit in a café for a cup of coffee, and enjoy the slow city life."

In response, the four nations highlighted their unique charms. Mária Schvarczová, director of International Relations in Tourism for Slovakia Trave, promoted "condensed diversity". "Our country is small, but it has great topographical contrasts, with mountains in the north, plains in the south, thousands of kilometers of hiking trails, and 28 thermal spas."