As China’s Golden Week holiday kicks off, Chinese tourists are expected to take longer trips than last year, but analysts predict spending levels will remain flat due to economic concerns.
The week-long holiday, which traditionally sparks a surge in both domestic and international travel, is seeing a shift towards more affordable destinations as airfares drop and travelers remain cautious about their budgets.
Experts say that despite increased travel, the economic slowdown and low consumer confidence are influencing choices, with many travelers opting for cheaper domestic or short-haul overseas trips. Flight Master, a travel platform, reports that domestic airfares are 21% lower than last year, and international economy-class tickets are down 25%. This price drop is expected to encourage more travel, particularly to nearby destinations like Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Singapore.
However, industry experts like Liu Simin, from the China Society for Futures Studies, note that while people are traveling more, it may not result in higher tourism spending.
“People are more willing to travel when the economy is good, but when there is no economic growth, there is no tourism growth,” Liu explained.
Many travelers, like Wang Xin, a Beijing office worker, are opting for cost-saving measures. Wang plans to drive with her family to Yangzhou, avoiding toll fees and saving on train fares.
“Better not to spend unnecessary money when the economy is like this,” she said.
Xin reflected a broader sentiment of financial caution among tourists.
Although domestic tourism remains strong, outbound travel is also gaining momentum. Data from platforms like Trip.com shows increased interest in long-haul destinations such as Australia, New Zealand, and Europe, with some travelers taking advantage of lower airfares to extend their stays or upgrade their accommodations. Even so, analysts from HSBC expect holiday purchases to meet, but not exceed, last year’s levels.
While many Chinese travelers are heading to familiar Asian destinations, there is also a growing trend toward more off-the-beaten-path locations. According to Trip.com, European cities like Granada and Seville in Spain are seeing significant increases in bookings, as are less crowded Japanese cities like Yokohama and Takayama.
