The Spring Festival Holiday Brings Boom to China’s Tourism Market
As February 18 marks the first working day after the Spring Festival holiday, the CCTV news reported a booming national tourism market during the past holiday. The large passenger flows were observed at cultural and museum venues, city business districts, urban parks, among other places.
The expansion of the “visa-free circle of friends” and the elongated holiday period contributed to the significant increase in inbound and outbound passenger flow during the Spring Festival holiday.
Big data analysis indicated that inter-provincial tourists accounted for 55% of the total, intra-provincial tourists accounted for 41%, and outbound tourists accounted for 4%. In terms of travel distance, short-distance trips within 200 kilometers accounted for 33%, medium-distance trips between 200 and 500 kilometers accounted for 31%, and long-distance trips over 500 kilometers accounted for 36%. The number of people traveling for 3 days or more accounted for the highest proportion at 58%. Additionally, the number of inbound and outbound tourists across the country increased by 88% compared with the same period last year.
The popularity of ice and snow tourism has been on the rise with large ski resorts showing a 13% year-on-year increase in passenger flow. Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Suzhou, and Guangzhou emerged as the top five popular tourist destinations for skiing.
Cultural tourism also saw a surge in popularity during the Spring Festival holiday, with Nanjing Confucius Temple Qinhuai Scenic Belt and Hangzhou West Lake being the two most popular scenic spots. Additionally, the passenger flow at places like Yungang Grottoes, Chengde Summer Resort, and Shanhaiguan Ancient City more than doubled compared to the same period last year.
Museum tours have become a new trend during the Spring Festival holiday with the Palace Museum, Qin Shihuang Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, and the National Museum of China emerging as some of the most popular destinations.
Furthermore, Beijing municipal parks received more than 4 million tourists, marking a year-on-year increase of 141.32%, with the number of tourists reaching a new high in recent years.
The ultra-long holiday ignited the tourism craze, resulting in a severalfold increase in inbound and outbound passenger flow, particularly in domestic transportation hub cities. The average daily inbound and outbound passenger flow at Shanghai Airport hit a new high in the past four years, with Guangzhou Baiyun Airport and Chengdu aviation port reporting significant increases in inbound and outbound passenger flow as well.
The expansion of the “visa-free circle of friends” also played a significant role in boosting outbound travel during the Spring Festival, with China having reached agreements or arrangements with several countries to simplify visa procedures.
The comprehensive exemption of visas and the expansion of visa-free arrangements have made it easier for Chinese tourists to travel, contributing to the increased passenger flow at various airport hubs across the country.
Overall, the Spring Festival holiday witnessed a significant boost in tourism across various sectors, reflecting the growing interest in cultural, outdoor, and international travel among Chinese citizens.