Oliver Sedlinger, the China representative of the Historic Highlights of Germany alliance, said overnight visits of Chinese tourists to Germany, Austria and Switzerland during November and December have increased in recent years, and not only to ski resorts, but also to cities and towns.
"Christmas markets have received increasing coverage as a cultural experience and attraction," Sedlinger said. "It seems that this is now an important element of city trips, and visiting a Christmas market is increasingly seen as a special experience and an exotic cultural attraction."
Despite differences in history and culture, Sedlinger sees similarities between the Christmas markets and Miao Hui temple fairs in China.
The Austrian city of Innsbruck, which is in a broad valley surrounded by high mountains, offers six Christmas markets that are attracting large numbers of Chinese visitors.
The Innsbruck markets consists of 195 stalls offering traditional Austrian food, mulled wine, local handicrafts and Christmas decorations. They attract 1.2 million visitors a year.
With an increasing number of Chinese travelers looking for local authenticity on their holidays, Robert Neuner, chief executive officer of Innsbruck Christmas markets, believes Christmas markets will become even more attractive.
As well as the more traditional activities, spectators can also take in "Krampuslauf" parades, where people dressed as monsters chase away "evil spirits".
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