The Spring Festival travel market has witnessed a surge in cross-border tourism in the Year of the Snake, with expanded visa-free policies playing a key role in driving this growth. According to travel agencies and experts, both inbound and outbound tourism have seen significant increases compared to previous years.
A Trip.com report highlights a 30% rise in overall cross-border travel orders. In particular, inbound ticket orders skyrocketed by 180%, and hotel bookings for foreign visitors surged by over 60%. This uptick signals a growing appeal for international travel, with more foreigners choosing to visit China during the holiday period.
Data from Qunar also confirms this trend, showing a 70% rise in non-Chinese passport holders booking domestic flights, with many opting to explore second- and third-tier cities. Meanwhile, Hainan Airlines reported that over 20,000 foreign passengers were transported during the Spring Festival, further underlining the robust demand for travel to China.
On the other side, Chinese outbound travel has also seen an uptick, with Trip.com noting that short-haul trips to Japan have doubled in popularity. Long-haul destinations like the United States, Spain, Italy, and France have also experienced impressive growth, with bookings up by 53%, 82%, 56%, and 50%, respectively.
