From January 1, 2007, the fee for applying for a Schengen Visa increases to EUD60 from the current EUD35.

As a result, the total fee for European trips from China will be increased by RMB250.

Zhang Rui, the Manager of the Euro Department of China Youth Travel Service, said that the current rates for Europe trips are more than RMB10,000, so the RMB250 mark-up won't have much influence for the European trip market.

The name "Schengen" originates from a small town in Luxembourg. In June 1985, seven European Union countries signed a treaty to end internal border checkpoints and controls. More countries have joined the treaty over the past years. At present, there are 15 Schengen countries, all in Europe.

The 15 Schengen countries are: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. All these countries, except Norway and Iceland, are European Union members.

According to the "Schengen Agreement", these member countries don't need a border check with each other. This means that tourists who go for a Europe trip can travel around all of those member countries with only a Schengen visa.