Chinese travelers are once again eager to explore the world, as indicated by the results of a recent survey conducted by Dragon Trail Research. This study underscores a significant increase in outbound travel intentions compared to the same period last year.
Chinese travelers are increasingly interested in going abroad, with almost 40 percent planning to visit places outside Asia in 2024. Europe is their top choice for faraway destinations, especially France and Iceland, VisaGuide.World reports.
South Korea, Thailand, Japan, and Singapore are among the top choices for Chinese travelers in Asia. The popularity of Iceland, despite its distance, can be attributed to its breathtaking natural attractions like the Northern Lights and volcanoes, which have gained significant exposure on social media and reality TV.
In spring 2024, there was a noticeable shift in the outlook of Chinese consumers, with 63 percent of survey respondents either having embarked on outbound trips in 2024 or actively planning to do so—an evident rise from 2023.
In April 2023, around 75 percent of our survey respondents said they planned to travel within Asia for the remainder of the year. One year later, that proportion fell to 60 percent. Europe is more popular than ever, chosen by 26.7 percent, while all other long-haul regions made modest gains.
Only 10% of Chinese Against Traveling Abroad in 2024
According to the survey, more people are eager to travel abroad, as shown by fewer people saying they don’t want to go. Just ten percent of survey participants are against traveling abroad this year, a significant change from last year when 31 percent and 20 percent felt that way in April and August, respectively.
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the Chinese outbound tourism market has shown remarkable resilience. With the country gradually reopening its borders, the market is projected to reach about 80 percent of its pre-pandemic levels, with an estimated 130 million trips in 2024.
Visa Easing Boosted Surge in Chinese Tourists
The easing of visa requirements has also attracted many Chinese tourists to certain destinations. Countries that simplified the visa process for Chinese travelers in 2023 saw a noticeable increase in visitors. For example, there was a 115 percent increase in travel from China to Kazakhstan, an 18 percent increase in visits to Singapore, and an almost full recovery in travel to Russia and Malaysia in the first quarter of 2024.
However, Thailand’s performance in attracting Chinese travelers has been less impressive, potentially due to a shooting incident in October last year.