Visa-free travel agreements to several Southeast Asian countries come into effect before the Lunar New Year, and reduced ticket prices to Africa are expected to stimulate Chinese people to travel early this year.
Analysts say more Chinese tourists are expected to travel abroad during the Lunar New Year holiday than in previous months. Data from the Ministry of Public Security , the Ministry of Transport and the State Railway Corporation show a significant increase in passenger traffic during this year’s 40-day travel rush.
Millions of Chinese people will visit their hometowns, travel domestically or internationally during this time, especially during the Lunar New Year. On the first day of the Spring Festival on January 26, Chinese people made 189 million trips, up nearly 20% compared to the same period last year.
Tourists watch a performance at Changchun Railway Station in Jilin Province on January 26. Photo: Xinhua
However, the figure is still about 30% below pre-pandemic levels, according to UK-based global data provider OAG. OAG chief analyst John Grant said the incomplete recovery is partly due to flights not yet returning to pre-pandemic levels and changing economic and consumer preferences. "If the economy is not good, people can't afford to travel. At that point, it's the same whether you're in China or the US," Grant said.
Traveling during the Lunar New Year holiday could become a new trend among Chinese people as their desire to leave home increases, tech company Baidu said.
Demand for international travel is expected to increase following a series of visa-free agreements with Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. A report from Baidu shows that Thailand remains a popular destination for Chinese people due to its warm climate and visa-free policy. In addition, reasonable airfares increase the appeal of young Chinese to long-haul destinations such as Egypt, Morocco, Kenya and other African countries.
The Ministry of Transport said there are expected to be 9 billion trips during this year’s Chunyun travel period. US-based Bank of America Securities said that the younger generation and Gen Z are the biggest drivers of the travel recovery, accounting for more than 70% of all travelers during the New Year holiday. The report said that younger travelers are more interested in local experiences, outdoor activities and are more influenced by social media than their parents.
"Domestic and international tourism by Chinese tourists continues to recover this year and is a bright spot for the economy," said a representative of Bank of America Securities.
Anh Minh (According to SCMP, Xinhua News Agency )
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