New hope

The flight from Ningbo was welcomed by Hao Weibin, head of the Hungary Chinese Tour Guide Association, who acted as guide for the group's trip to Europe.

When Hao took the arrivals from Ningbo to the China Commodity Exhibition Center in Budapest on July 11, he was asked how, in view of the pandemic, it was possible for such a group to travel to Hungary.

He replied, "The local authorities launched a chartered flight especially for foreign-trade companies." He added that many tour guides have changed their jobs since 2020, and that his family members had lost their jobs due to the pandemic.

The trip to Europe－the first tour group from China that Hao has led for two years－has given him fresh hope.

"When I was told I would be the tour guide two weeks ago, I didn't believe that the trip would go ahead, but it has really happened," Hao said.

"Ningbo has made a breakthrough, and I hope that more cities follow in its footsteps. I also believe that more tour groups will travel from China to Europe."