China Regains Its Appetite for Travel as National Day Bookings Abroad Double

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Travelers at Qingdao Airport.

After several years of pandemic lockdown and economic gloom the people of China are regaining their appetite for travel. Outbound travel bookings during China’s National Day holiday have doubled compared with last year, encouraged by visa-free travel and lower air fares.

International flight and hotel prices have fallen by 15% and 9%, respectively, data from online travel platforms show.

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Outbound travel bookings in China have doubled during the National Day holiday, facilitated by visa-free travel and reduced air fares.
International flight prices have fallen by 15%, with hotel rates down by 9%; ticket prices to popular spots like Japan and Singapore dropped over 30%.
Travelers from third-tier cities now comprise over 40% of long-haul outbound tourists, significantly outpacing growth in first-tier cities.

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Who’s Who

Ctrip: Ctrip is a travel platform mentioned in the article that shows a significant drop in ticket prices for destinations like Japan, the U.K., and Singapore, contributing to the travel boom by offering cheaper flights. The platform indicates that Southeast Asian destinations are now more affordable than some domestic locations, encouraging increased travel among Chinese tourists.

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What Happened When

By 2024：: International flight and hotel prices have fallen by 15% and 9%, respectively.

By 2024：: Ticket prices to Japan, the U.K., and Singapore have dropped on average by more than 30% on travel platform Ctrip.

By 2024：: Africa has emerged as an increasingly popular choice for Chinese travelers, with initiatives like the China-Africa Air Express spurring closer links.

By 2024：: Nearly 20% of outbound travel orders now come from third-tier and smaller cities, with booking increases two and a half times compared with last year.