Special Forces Tourism: The trend of traveling a lot and spending little among young people

Inspired by the military, young Chinese pursue 'special ops' tourism with tight schedules, minimal spending to explore as much as possible.

New travel trend: Maximum experience, minimum cost

Before dawn, Oneone Han and Pipi Tang, two tourists from Shanghai, arrived in Hong Kong with a clear mission: conquer the city in the shortest time and at the most economical cost. They skipped the hotel, showered at the airport and started their journey at 6am, spending two days visiting famous places until late at night.

They are the epitome of the “special forces-style” travel trend that is spreading among young Chinese. The trend focuses on packing a packed itinerary with multiple destinations in a short period of time while spending minimal money, inspired by the military’s spirit of discipline, efficiency and endurance.

Pipi Tang, a tourist in Shanghai, follows the "special agent" tourism trend. Photo: Pipi Tang

During the Golden Week holiday in May, the duo set a goal to explore 14 tourist attractions in Hong Kong within 48 hours with a budget of only about 360 USD.

Social pressure and fear of missing out

The “special ops” travel trend has taken off on Chinese social media platforms like Xiaohongshu and Douyin, with users sharing detailed itineraries, budget tips, photo spots, and cheap eats. Han and Tang are also aiming to visit every province in China by 2026. “We only have four more provinces to go,” Han said. “It’s satisfying to see so many places in a short time and still save money.”

Dr Mingming Cheng, director of the Social Media Lab at Curtin University in Australia, said the trend reflects the pressures facing young Chinese people. “Many young people have limited time and budget but still want to experience as much as possible,” said Mr Cheng. He said the fear of missing out (FOMO), especially after the pandemic, has fueled the idea that “if you don’t go now, you will regret it later”.

Controversial saving methods

To optimize costs, many tourists have adopted drastic savings measures. Some people choose to stay overnight at 24-hour McDonald's restaurants, Haidilao hotpot chain or internet cafes.

Special forces-style tourists sleep overnight at McDonald's to save on accommodation costs. Photo: ABC News

Traveler Chloe Cai said she spent just $106 on her three-day trip to Hong Kong, thanks in part to spending a night at McDonald's. "Hotels are too expensive during the holidays, so I stayed at McDonald's for one night and a cheap hotel for the other for $46," Cai said. However, she admitted the experience was unsafe and would not repeat it.

The move has sparked mixed reactions, with some Hong Kong residents calling it “disgraceful” and not contributing to the local economy , and even calling for the chain to stop operating 24/7.

Economic impact and destination adaptation

According to the Hong Kong Tourism Board, while the number of mainland Chinese tourists to the city has increased, retail sales have fallen slightly. "The number of tourists has increased, but the average spending has dropped sharply. Many people are not staying overnight, eating out or shopping, so their contribution to the economy is very limited," said Mimi Li, a professor of tourism at Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

However, Ms. Li also sees long-term potential, saying that this younger group of travelers could return in the future with higher spending power. Their travel habits have changed, with less emphasis on luxury shopping and more on short trips that emphasize local experiences.

In response, the Hong Kong government is adapting its strategy to attract a new group of tourists. Instead of promoting only famous landmarks, the city is developing more diverse tourism products such as factory tours, exploring hidden neighborhoods, traditional markets and new cultural and ecological experiences.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/du-lich-dac-nhiem-trao-luu-di-nhieu-tieu-it-cua-gioi-tre-397843.html