milan aug 10 reuters  luxury and travel stocks were among the leading gainers in europe on thursday as investors cheered chinas decision to lift a ban on group tours in the united states and other key markets a gauge of top luxury stocks stxluxp was up 19 while the regions travel and leisure index sxtp gained 1 both outperforming a positive market shares in luxury group lvmh lvmhpa rose 2 while air france airfpa led gains in the travel sector up 19 china said on thursday it had lifted pandemicera restrictions on group tours for more countries  including key markets such as the united states japan south korea and australia in a potential boon for their tourism industries