As the summer sun blazes, China's iconic landmarks are bustling with tourists from around the globe, marking the annual peak travel season spanning July and August. This surge in travel not only highlights the nation's rich cultural heritage but also significantly boosts its economic vitality.
The China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. anticipates a staggering 860 million railway passenger trips during these months, averaging 13.87 million daily. To accommodate this demand, railway operators are deploying 276 additional temporary trains each day, bringing the total to approximately 11,500 trains nationwide.
Air travel is experiencing a similar boom. Data from the flight travel app Umetrip reveals that domestic flight bookings from July 1 to August 31 have surpassed 18 million, a 23-percent increase from the previous year. Inbound and outbound flights are projected to reach around 145,000, with nearly 7 million tickets booked—almost double last year's figures.
Several airlines have announced plans to exceed their pre-pandemic flight levels from 2019, with international flights expected to match those numbers. Popular tourist destinations in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sichuan Province, and Hainan Province are seeing a significant increase in scheduled flights to meet traveler demand.
At Sanya Phoenix International Airport, preparations for the travel rush include deploying volunteers at check-in counters and special service areas, as well as opening green channels for university freshmen to enhance travel efficiency and ensure a smooth experience, according to Quan Xiaoyi, Vice President of the airport.
Summer Vacation Economy
The booming travel season is driving a vibrant \"summer vacation economy,\" fueled by tourism demands for educational and family tours. According to travel agency Ctrip, nearly 40 percent of its summer travelers opted for attractions suitable for children, with renowned theme parks in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Zhuhai emerging as top family destinations.
\"The popularity of family trips and educational tours underscores the increasing demand for enriching family interactions and educational experiences,\" said Xiao Peng, a researcher at Qunar.com. \"Such trips also foster the transformation of the tourism industry toward diversification and personalized experiences.\"
Chinese authorities are supporting this growth by launching nearly 37,000 cultural tourism consumption events nationwide during the summer. These events span over 4,000 consumption categories and offer attractive incentives like coupons, discounts, and affordable package deals, according to Fu Hanxiao, an official of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
From the Spring Festival to May Day and the Dragon Boat Festival, this year's holidays have seen a rapid recovery in cultural and tourism consumption, showcasing the immense potential of China's vast market of over 1.4 billion people.
Analysts predict that industries such as tourism, education, and entertainment will continue to thrive in the coming years, driven by the increasing demand for quality and personalized options during the summer season. This trend is expected to serve as a new catalyst for economic momentum.
Robust Inbound and Outbound Tourism
The enthusiasm for summer travel in China has also led to a significant rise in both outbound and inbound travel bookings. Ctrip reports that nearly seven million air tickets are expected to be booked for inbound and outbound journeys this summer, reflecting a remarkable 93-percent year-on-year increase.
Guangzhou, a southern Chinese metropolis, recorded over 44,000 arrivals and departures in a single day in July, highlighting the city's role as a major travel hub. In the first half of the year, China welcomed 14.64 million international visitors, a 153-percent increase from the previous year. Notably, 8.54 million of these visitors entered through visa-free entry, marking a 190-percent surge, thanks to China's 144-hour visa-free transit policy.
\"Tourism has become a burgeoning demand among people seeking a better quality of life. Tourism demand is the most important factor in promoting the development of the holiday tourism economy,\" said Dai Bin, president of the China Tourism Academy. \"In promoting the development of the tourism economy, authorities in various regions have pushed forward innovation in tourism supply chains, especially in improving public cultural services in tourism. Creating a friendly tourism marketing environment plays a fundamental supporting role in the innovative development of China's tourism economy.\"
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
