China is seeing an increase in outbound tourists as incomes increase and visa restrictions ease. (Photo : Reuters)
It is expected that the number of Chinese outbound tourists will set a new record during the upcoming Lunar New Year festival, with neighboring countries like Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, and South Korea being the major destinations.
The latest data provided by Ctrip.com, one of the largest travel service sites in China, reveals that the number of Chinese tourists going abroad during the Lunar New Year holiday will hit 6 million, which is more than the previous numbers.
"During the seven-day national holiday, Chinese tourists will cross more than 100 countries and regions, with the South Pole being the farthest point," noted Ctrip.com.
The most popular destinations for Spring Festival among tourists from China are South Korea, Thailand, Japan, Singapore, China's Taiwan Province, Indonesia, the United States, Australia and Malaysia, according to China Daily, citing data collected by major online travel organizations in the country.
Neighboring states in Asia are enjoying surging popularity among Chinese tourists. Hong Kong is slowly regaining its appeal to tourists in the mainland, with its latest booking number ranking second among all places.
A new report released by LY.com reveals that Chinese outbound visitors spent about five to six days on their trips during the festival, accounting for 42.9 percent of their yearly travel time. The publication added that package tours are still the most preferred, with DIY trips accounting for a little bit over 21 percent of travel.
Reports indicate that the demand for products associated with overseas travel is on the rise, including WiFi eggs, tickets and vehicle services. Chinese outbound tourists are spending more as well, with the aggregate expenditure hitting over 4,000 yuan ($609).
Several reasons play central for the boost of outbound tourism, including relaxed visa regulations, increased international flight routes, and travel expenditure discounts in addition to allowances offered by online travel organizations.
