Professionals taking tours to boost their skills, careers

Short study tours overseas, which have long been popular among teenagers in China, are attracting more professionals who want to gain additional skills, according to an industry insider.

Frances Lin, China expansion director for International Language Centers, part of Swedish education company EF Education First, said the number of Chinese professionals signing up for overseas study tours had increased by 40 to 50 percent a year since such programs were first made available five years ago.

"Thanks to the increasingly open market and the environment in China, overseas study tours are having their moment among professionals," she said. "Heading overseas for a month or two is evolving from pure study to a kind of lifestyle, which is needed and enjoyed not only by children, but also adults."

Most professionals seeking such an experience are 30 to 35 years old, she said. "They are choosing study tours rather than pure travel because they have clear objectives, such as to enlarge their professional vision or expand their connections."

For example, professionals who are running a business or trading with companies overseas will use tours to survey markets and search for new opportunities.

"For these people, a study tour would better cater to their needs than travel because people can have professional courses that are helpful to their work and at the same time experience life overseas in an in-depth way."

Lin said professionals usually prefer tours that last for eight to 12 weeks. The destination depends on individual needs and preferences, but the top destinations for EF's customers are Britain and the United States.

Non-English-speaking countries with beautiful scenery such as France, Germany and Italy are also becoming increasingly popular, she added.

The weekly cost, including tuition, accommodation and meals, is typically about 6,000 yuan ($910) a person, she said, with additional expenses depending on the destination and choice of extracurricular activities.