Chinese travel companies revealed that during next week's extended nine-day Lunar New Year holiday, there will be a significant increase in Chinese tourists traveling abroad. Popular destinations range from Russia, Australia, Thailand, and South Korea to Northern Europe, while Japan is beginning to lose its appeal.
Several tour operators disclosed that during next week's Lunar New Year festival, which coincides with the Year of the Horse, outbound travel by Chinese tourists will rise sharply. This is due to the Chinese government declaring an unusually long nine-day holiday starting 15 February, one day longer than usual, boosting spending across shops, cinemas, and restaurants.
Chinese authorities forecast that during this year's "40-day travel season," there will be up to 9.5 billion passenger trips, an increase from 9.02 billion last year. Relevant agencies hope that the longer holiday will stimulate the economy through both domestic tourism and outbound travel.
Thailand has reclaimed the top spot as the most popular destination. Zhou Weihong, executive at Spring Tour in Shanghai, said Thailand's warm weather is a key factor attracting Chinese travelers seeking to escape the cold.
Meanwhile, bookings for Russia surged more than 100% compared to last year, following Russia's December decision to exempt Chinese travelers from visa requirements. Similarly, Australia's Trip.com reported a clear recovery in long-haul travel, with tourist numbers to Australia also rising over 100%.
Despite China's economic uncertainties, a real estate crisis, and job instability, a McKinsey study indicates that Chinese consumers are increasingly prioritizing spending on "experiences" rather than luxury goods as in the past.
Conversely, Japan's popularity has noticeably declined due to escalating political tensions between the two countries and safety warnings issued by the Chinese government. Flight Master data shows flights between China and Japan during the week of 2 February dropped 49.2% compared to the same period last year. Over 58 routes available last Lunar New Year have been canceled, forcing airlines to extend refund and rebooking policies to accommodate reduced passenger numbers.
Domestically, Chinese tourists remain divided in their preferences, choosing either to relax in the sun on Hainan Island or to experience the snow on Changbai Mountain in the country's northeast.
/sourceReuters