On Friday, the first day of the travel season, 189 million passenger trips took place, an increase of 19.7% from the same period last year, state news agency Xinhua reported, citing figures from government ministries including the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Public Security. The same applies to the China National Railways Group.
‘Severe punishment’: Chinese government leaders warn of curbing wages for migrant workers
‘Severe punishment’: Chinese government leaders warn of curbing wages for migrant workers
Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand remain popular destinations for Chinese tourists who prefer warmer climates, Baidu’s report said.
Chinese travelers to Thailand will be able to enter the country visa-free from March 1 following the signing of a reciprocal agreement on Sunday.
Visa-free agreements and reasonable airfares are increasing the appeal of long-haul destinations such as Egypt, Morocco, Kenya and other African countries, especially among young Chinese, Baidu’s report said.
This year’s Chinese New Year will be the second since China lifted strict coronavirus restrictions at the end of 2022, but the UK-based airline OAG said it will reduce outbound air traffic in the first quarter of this year. Capacity is likely to be 30% below 2019 levels. Global travel data provider.
OAG principal analyst John Grant said this was mainly due to a patchy recovery in flights between Northeast Asia, Europe and Southeast Asia.
“Ultimately it’s about the economy. If the economy deteriorates, people won’t be in a position to travel, and it doesn’t matter if they’re in China or the United States,” Grant said Wednesday.
Lunar New Year benefits are a stopgap, but China’s economy has other priorities in 2024
Lunar New Year benefits are a stopgap, but China’s economy has other priorities in 2024
Younger Millennials and Gen Z are the biggest drivers of the tourism recovery, accounting for two-thirds of all holiday travelers, Bank of America Securities said in a report Tuesday.
According to the report, young travelers are more interested in local experiences and outdoor activities than their parents, and are more influenced by social media.
“Our view is that both domestic and international travel will continue to recover further this year, continuing to be a bright spot for the economy.”
“For local governments at home and abroad, promoting unique local culture through social media, hosting concerts and festivals, and improving accessibility for tourists are all potential strategies that can be effective.”