If the online statistical data is a reliable indication, then the last thing on the minds of Chinese nationals as the Year of the Sheep firmly plants its hoofs into the new ground of 2015 is whether "goat" or "ram" are more appropriate astrological symbols for the next annual time frame.
The figures and results from the leading digital travel companies show that the world's most populated nation has been far too preoccupied with obtaining the best-valued tourism packages for the Spring Festival period.
As with any busy holiday celebration in any country, the fever-pitch anticipation that precedes China's Spring Festival causes ticket prices to perch on levels located in the retail stratosphere--for certain trips, the ticket prices doubled due to the immense magnitude of consumer demand at this time of year.
The travel bug is at epidemic levels throughout China, and a Hangzhou couple even described getting "addicted" to the idea of traveling to warmer locations during the wintry days of late February and March.
However, while Japan was highlighted as the most-favored destination of Chinese travelers prior to the start of this year's new-year period, China Daily reported on Wednesday that, while Japanese locations are very popular, Thailand, Bali and Maldives have been the top three selections of Chinese Web-based tourism consumers.
The Japan claim was certainly supported, as the Japanese embassy reported the largest number of visa approvals for Chinese passport holders after January's applications were processed.
But, as the aforementioned Hangzhou couple stated, places like Thailand and Indonesia are "the perfect choice":
"... it not only meets our aim of spending the holiday somewhere warm with tasty exotic dishes . . . but also because it is less costly in Southeast Asia."
In addition to the sales data, the chief executive of Mafengwo, China's biggest tourist-information online entity, explained that the modification of visa-application procedures in a number of countries has increased the allure of travel for Chinese citizens.