Global Travel Retail Magazine’s Post

"China’s straitened economic circumstances are being reflected in Chinese New Year travel plans, with many choosing cheaper domestic trips or nearby destinations in Asia. Around 2.2 million to 2.6 million people are forecast to travel globally during the eight-day holiday that starts the eve of Jan 28, according to digital marketing and research firm China Trading Desk. While that is up as much as 30 per cent from 2024’s low base, it is still below pre-pandemic levels when overseas travel was at a peak at 6.3 million. The holiday snapshots reflect a home-bias shift among Chinese tourists, who for years were the globe’s biggest spenders. Now, their travel cutbacks have businesses from airlines to retailers and hotels recalibrating. ... Holidaymakers who are going abroad are increasingly choosing nearby countries like Japan and South Korea, whose weakened currencies extend the buying power of the yuan. South-east Asian nations such as Malaysia and Thailand are meanwhile luring visitors with visa-free entry and lower costs. More expensive long-haul destinations as the United States and Europe are not at the top of lists in 2025." Chinese Tourists Avoid Far-Flung Trips Over Lunar Holiday • Japan, Thailand, South Korea top the hotspots for travelers • Nearly 75% are booking last-minute trips to get better deals 𝘉𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘨, 23 January 2025, https://lnkd.in/gmBkijrP

Chinese outbound travel is back, with bookings for the upcoming Lunar New Year just 8% below 2019 levels. But don't expect a return to the past. While the #travel and #tourism sector will see a surge in business, the landscape has dramatically shifted. When it comes to destination choice: ease of travel, safety, and diverse offerings are now paramount. This is why #Malaysia (+41% vs 2019), #Singapore (+26%), and the #UAE (+14%), with their visa-free policies and strong connectivity, are witnessing significant growth. Crucially, the traveler profile has evolved. Solo and couple travel is on the rise (+8% and +6% vs 2019, respectively), while group travel remains far below pre-pandemic levels (-44% regionally, -52% long-haul). This demands a fundamental shift in business strategies. Businesses must prioritise personalised experiences tailored to individual travelers, not mass tourism. Despite economic headwinds, the China presents immense opportunities. More than ever, success in this market demands a deep understanding of the evolving Chinese traveller… and solid #data. Read our latest analysis for deeper insights into Chinese outbound travel during the Lunar New Year holiday: https://lnkd.in/dqVSpmjW #destinationmanagement #destinationmarketing #chinesetravel #chinaoutbound #luxury #travelretail #chinesenewyear ForwardKeys

Chinese New Year 2025: Travel Rebounds Big! Chinese outbound travel is making a strong comeback this CNY, with ForwardKeys data revealing exciting trends: 👉 Early departures are peaking before the 8-day holiday even begins. 👉 Asia is bouncing back, with some destinations surpassing pre-pandemic numbers. 👉 Long-haul travel to Europe and beyond is on the rise, supported by increased flight capacity. Want the full picture, including the destinations topping the charts and what’s driving these changes? Explore the data and insights here: https://lnkd.in/ddZayn4b #ForwardKeys #ChineseOutboundTravel #CNY2025 #PredictingTravellersImpact

#China's #travel economy ahead of this year's Lunar New Year rush is being increasingly differentiated across demographic lines. Older travelers are exhibiting a healthier appetite for travel spending than their younger counterparts, based on our survey. #Japan and #SouthKorea are the most popular outbound destinations among both sets of travelers, according to BI analyst Timothy Bacchus. Bloomberg terminal clients can access full report: https://lnkd.in/gyYYE6d3

[𝐃𝐄𝐂𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄] 𝐕𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐀𝐬 𝐓𝐞𝐭 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 📊 The December update reveals a significant surge in travel intentions among Vietnamese, with 94% planning to travel within the next six months. Meanwhile, the proportion of undecided travelers remains consistent at 55%, which mirrors the cautious approach that many Vietnamese people take when planning trips. 💡 Regarding travel periods, January sees 19.6% of travelers drawn by the allure of the extended Lunar New Year holiday. Demand peaks in February, with 23.8% planning trips, as people take advantage of favorable weather for post-Tet excursions, coupled with the return from the holiday season. To learn more about the travel demand and behavior of Vietnamese travelers during this Tet holiday, check out Outbox's latest report: 𝐕𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 - 𝐓𝐞𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓: https://lnkd.in/gd6khZKV 🛎 Stay tuned to the #Vietnam_Travel_Focused_Omnibus_Survey for the latest trends and insights into Vietnam's travel market during this festive peak season! #Outbox #Outboxintelligence #Vietnamesetraveldemand ___________________ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐛𝐨𝐱 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲  ☎ Tel: (+84) 28 6275 5726  📧 Email: info@the-outbox.com 🌐 Website: the-outbox.com

The Lunar New Year is a huge occasion in China. Hundreds of millions of people return to their hometowns to celebrate it. This year is no exception. Airports, railway stations and bus stations are packed with travelers making their annual trek. This year corresponds to the Year of the Snake in the 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle. The festivities and celebrations begin on the 29th of January and last for up to 16 days. The first seven are national holidays. Reuters reported that overseas travel is particularly popular this year. It quoted a travel agency that said "bookings for outbound flights and holiday packages on its platform had doubled from last year". The most popular destinations are in Asia. The AP news agency said China's New Year is "the world's biggest annual movement of humanity". With the advent of modern, high-speed transport in China, the number of people on the move has skyrocketed. The Xinhua news agency said journeys are expected to "hit record highs" this year. When the first New Year holiday began in China, some 3,500 years ago, far fewer people would have left their hometowns. However, following the rapid growth of China's economy, billions of people have relocated across the country for work, study, or to greener pastures. The subsequent annual exodus has been a boon for the economy. The tourism, hospitality and retail sectors see an uplift in profits. #Lunar New Year

Imagine nearly 9 billion trips in just 40 days - that’s the scale of China’s Lunar New Year travel rush, Chunyun. It’s a time when families reunite, friends gather, and cities buzz with movement. Often called the world’s largest annual human migration, this extraordinary event is also a reflection of China’s economic pulse and a major test of its transportation systems. This year, with road trips making up 80% of the journeys and rail travel breaking records, the numbers are staggering. The extended Spring Festival holiday and new visa policies have only added to the momentum, showcasing how deeply travel is woven into this cultural celebration. It’s a testament to the enduring importance of connection and tradition. Would you brave the crowds for such an experience? #LunarNewYear #Travel #CulturalTraditions

🌠 Who’s heading to the northern hemisphere this winter? As the colder months approach, destinations with prime views of the Northern Lights are expecting a surge in aurora-seeking Chinese tourists. Data shows that popular hotspots include Reykjavik (Iceland), Rovaniemi (Finland), Murmansk (Russia), Alaska (USA), Mohe (China), and Yellowknife (Canada). Most Arctic aurora tour participants are aged 19-35 and come from major cities like Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Nanjing. As demand for Arctic travel grows, many Chinese tourists have expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of services in their aurora travel packages. They're looking for more than just witnessing the Northern Lights. 🪄 Chinese travellers, especially young professionals and affluent tourists, are increasingly seeking bespoke, tailored experiences that offer emotional engagement, exclusive amenities, and memorable moments. Check out our latest blog post to discover how Chinese tourists are seeking adventure, outdoor activities, and unforgettable, one-of-a-kind experiences - as well as how your brand can authentically align with these emerging trends. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e6FjFaDX #ChineseTourists #ChinaMarket #ChineseConsumers #ConsumerInsights #ChinaMarketing #BrandStrategy #TravelTrends #LuxuryTravel #NorthernLights #TourismMarketing #TravelIndustry

According to ForwardKeys, the Lunar New Year period is witnessing unprecedented momentum in Chinese travel, both domestically and internationally. With projections indicating 9 billion domestic trips during the 40-day festival period starting January 14, 2025, the industry is seeing numbers that surpass pre-pandemic levels and signal evolving travel preferences Nancy Dai Olivier Ponti Jérôme Goldberg Olivier Jager Laurens Van Den Oever #ChinaTravel #ChinaDomesticTravel #ChinaInternationalTravel #ChinaTravelData https://lnkd.in/gmu4eC83

✈️ Check out the latest China outbound travel industry whitepaper! ✈️ ✨ Chinese outbound travel is back, we worked together with iClick Interactive Asia Group Limited to uncover today’s Chinese travel trends in the 2024 Chinese Outbound Travelers Whitepaper✨ 👉 Download the 2024 Chinese Outbound Travelers Whitepaper here:  https://lnkd.in/dKt32mN7 ❔ What's the inside scoop on China's outbound travel scene? ✈️ Outbound travel is back. In August 2023, Chinese outbound tourism reached 57.4% of pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Qunar forecasts that the volume of visa applications from China will rebound to 70.0% to 80.0% of pre-pandemic levels in 2024. 🏨 There has been a growing trend towards longer and further trips. Qunar’s data shows a noticeable shift towards long-haul journeys, with a significant 42.8% increase in long-haul outbound tours in 2023 compared to 2019. 🛍️ Chinese tourists are spending more on their trips. In 2023, the number of Chinese travelers who spent over RMB 5,000 (USD 698.32) per trip increased by 14% compared to 2019. 📱 Chinese travelers increasingly rely on digital platforms like Douyin and Xiaohongshu for trip planning and travel inspiration. There has been a remarkable surge in the number of outbound tourism-related content creators on Douyin, with a growth rate of 175% from November 2022 to November 2023. #chinesetourists #Chinaoutboundtravel #Chinatravel #BusinessinChina