Chinese Travelers Revitalize Golden Week with Diverse Destinations
Outbound travel from China is getting a significant boost this upcoming Golden Week, driven by lower airfares and changing vacation trends. According to data from Fliggy, a major travel booking platform, Chinese travelers are increasingly booking overseas trips for the National Day holiday, which runs from October 1 to 7. Popular destinations in the Asia-Pacific region include Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam. The United States has also made the list.
However, a notable trend is the surge in bookings for more distant locations such as Chile, Croatia, Belgium, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Finland, Norway, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, and Sri Lanka. According to a Goldman Sachs report, domestic travel is projected to grow modestly by 5-6%, while outbound travel is expected to see a robust increase of 62% year-over-year, reaching approximately 94% of 2019 levels.
Trip.com, China’s largest online travel agency, highlights a shift towards long-haul destinations, with Australia, the US, New Zealand, the UK, France, and Spain seeing significant interest. This year, the average Golden Week trip lasts more than seven days, with European travelers opting for extended stays. Data shows a growing preference for five-star accommodations in Europe compared to Asia-Pacific.
Chinese travelers are also planning their trips further in advance, with visa applications submitted on average 68 days before departure—29 days earlier than last year.
In terms of travel preferences, more tourists are choosing unconventional destinations and activities. In Japan, cities like Yokohama, Takayama, and Ito are gaining popularity over Tokyo and Kyoto. Vietnamese island Phu Quoc and Spanish cities Granada and Seville are also seeing increased interest.
Live entertainment remains a significant draw, with millennials driving bookings to see artists like John Legend and K-pop acts Taemin and Taeyang in Hong Kong. The city expects to host up to 1.2 million mainland Chinese visitors, a 10% increase from last year.
Despite economic uncertainties, Chinese travelers are spending nearly 6% more than they did during last year’s Golden Week, with travelers from smaller cities also contributing to this increase. Analyst reports suggest a positive outlook for Golden Week travel, fueled by lower transportation and accommodation costs.
Original Story https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/30/golden-week-bookings-show-changes-in-how-chinese-are-traveling-.html
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