China’s recent National Day holiday period witnessed a significant surge in travel bookings, particularly for outbound trips. Domestic online travel agencies reported a remarkable increase in bookings from residents of smaller cities, especially those in western China.
During the week-long holiday, bookings for international travel from consumers in fourth- and fifth-tier cities more than doubled compared to the previous year, marking them as key contributors to the growth of outbound tourism, according to Trip.com Group, the country’s largest online travel agency.
In contrast, travelers from first- and second-tier cities opted for longer journeys abroad and increased their spending. Popular destinations included Japan, Thailand, South Korea, the United States, and Australia. Additionally, countries such as Brazil, the Philippines, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates emerged as the fastest-growing destinations during the holiday period.
Mao Lin, a researcher at Trip.com, noted, “Consumers in major cities are venturing to more distant locations, while residents of smaller cities are beginning to travel internationally. This trend indicates enhanced spending power and substantial growth potential for the global tourism market.”
Mao also highlighted that international flight capacity from China to destinations like Singapore and Malaysia has fully rebounded, surpassing pre-pandemic levels seen in 2019. This increased capacity has helped stabilize flight ticket prices within a reasonable range.
Moreover, many young travelers showed a preference for exploring smaller cities and county-level areas. Bookings for travel products to these locations surged compared to last year, according to several online travel agencies.
Tongcheng Travel, an online agency based in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, reported that hotel bookings in county-level areas outpaced those in more traditional tourist destinations. Nearly 100 counties and county-level cities experienced year-on-year increases of over 50 percent in local travel product bookings.
Notably, Shanxi province gained popularity among travelers, driven by interest in “Black Myth: Wukong,” a newly released game inspired by the Chinese classic Journey to the West. The game features visuals reminiscent of scenic spots in Shanxi, boosting tourism in the region.
During the holiday, bookings for bed-and-breakfast accommodations in county-level areas rose by nearly 50 percent year-on-year, outperforming the overall market, according to homestay operator Tujia.
Related Topics:
