China's Golden Week: Tourism booms with 888 million trips!

China's Golden Week: Tourism booms with 888 million trips!

Tour operators in Phuket are looking forward to the increasing number of Chinese tourists. Golden Week, which this year coincided with the Mid-Autumn Festival, spanned eight days and gave many an opportunity to break away from everyday life. A popular destination was Thailand, where the wave of travel ensured good business. Loud chinaskinny.com A whopping 888 million domestic travelers traveled in China between October 1st and 8th, an increase of 16 percent compared to the previous year.

And it's not just the number of trips that has increased: holidaymakers' spending has also increased significantly. A total of 809 billion yuan (about 113.8 billion USD) was recorded in domestic tourism spending during the holiday, an increase of 108 billion yuan. This broadens the horizon for foreign travel destinations, especially for countries that are considered “China-friendly” and offer visa-free entry. Loud chinatoday.com.cn These destinations have established themselves as hotspots for Chinese travelers.

Expanded travel policy and new trends

A notable trend can also be seen in travel planning over the holidays: travelers are increasingly tending to book their trips a week earlier than in the previous year. This reflects an increasing willingness to plan ahead when the offer is right. Demand for nature and island holidays has increased noticeably, while lesser-known destinations are on the rise. We are also observing an upswing in Phuket. More and more tourists from China are interested in the region's beautiful beaches and unique culture.

An important aspect to note is the rise in car ownership in China. This has changed consumer shopping behavior. More and more families are driving to major retailers looking for larger items. Interestingly, over 80 percent of those traveling abroad are families, suggesting that despite declining birth rates in China, the need for family experiences remains in high demand. gov.cn reports an increase in bookings for car trips abroad, where Japan and Sri Lanka are very popular as exotic destinations.

China's refreshing wind for tourism

Cooperation with neighboring countries such as Thailand and Singapore has contributed to the mutual granting of visa exemptions, which has made travel immensely easier for foreign tourists. In the first quarter of 2024, over 466,000 visas for foreigners were issued, which corresponds to an increase of 118.8 percent compared to the previous year. Mobility is driven by modern payment methods and AI translation tools that break down unwanted barriers. chinatoday.com.cn highlights that acceptance of foreign bank cards has also increased in tourist hotspots such as Shanghai.

Many foreign tourists report positive experiences and warm hospitality in China. All of this contributes to more and more people choosing to travel to China and immerse themselves in its cultural richness and scenic beauty. chinaskinny.com also takes a look into the future and finds that the demand for traditional and cultural experiences remains high. Events and exhibitions in major cities such as Shanghai and Beijing are very popular, which further increases the opportunities for regions such as Phuket that are less well-known to tourists.

With these developments behind them, the players in Phuket, which has a strong tourism industry, can look optimistically into the future and expect exciting times - a real celebration for explorers, those seeking relaxation and pleasure travelers alike.