As the summer sun blazes across China, the nation's most iconic landmarks are buzzing with tourists from near and far. This season marks a spectacular boom in travel, stretching across July and August, that's heating up the economy in epic style! 🔥
All Aboard the Summer Express! 🚅
China is gearing up for a staggering 860 million railway passenger trips during July and August—that's an average of 13.87 million travelers hopping on trains every day! This massive surge is fueled by vacationers, tourists, and family visitors making the most of the sunny season, according to the China State Railway Group Co., Ltd.
To keep up with this travel craze, railway operators are boosting capacity by adding 276 extra temporary trains daily, up by 128 from last year. In total, about 11,500 trains are set to whisk passengers across the country each day.
Flying High with Record Bookings ✈️
It's not just the rails that are rocking—the skies are bustling too! Data from flight travel app Umetrip shows that domestic flight bookings from July 1 to August 31 have soared past 18 million, marking a 23% jump from the same period last year. Meanwhile, over 145,000 inbound and outbound flights are on the schedule, with nearly 7 million tickets booked—almost double last year's figure!
Airlines are stepping up their game, planning daily domestic flights that surpass pre-pandemic levels of 2019. International flights are also set to match 2019 numbers. They've added more flights to hot tourist spots like cities in northwestern China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, southwest China's Sichuan Province, and south China's Hainan Province.
Travel Extras for an Epic Summer 🌴
Airports like Sanya Phoenix International Airport are rolling out the red carpet for travelers. Quan Xiaoyi, the airport's vice president, said they're deploying volunteers at check-in counters and special service areas. Plus, they've opened green channels for university freshmen to speed things up and make everyone's journey as smooth as possible.
The Rise of the 'Summer Vacation Economy' 🏖️
What's behind this travel explosion? A vibrant \"summer vacation economy\" driven by educational and family tours! According to travel agency Ctrip, nearly 40% of summer travelers are picking attractions perfect for kids. Famous theme parks in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Zhuhai are topping the charts as family favorites.
Xiao Peng, a researcher at online travel agency Qunar.com, says, \"The popularity of family trips and educational tours shows the rising demand for enriching family time and learning experiences. It's also pushing the tourism industry towards more diverse and personalized adventures!\"
To keep up with the trend, Chinese authorities are helping tourism businesses meet the evolving desires of travelers. This summer, nearly 37,000 cultural tourism events are being launched nationwide, covering over 4,000 consumption categories! Think coupons, discounts, and awesome package deals to make your vacation even sweeter.
From the Spring Festival to May Day and the Dragon Boat Festival, this year's holidays have seen a roaring comeback in cultural and tourism vibes, showcasing the incredible potential of China's massive market of over 1.4 billion people.
Analysts are buzzing that industries like tourism, education, and entertainment will keep thriving, thanks to the growing appetite for quality and personalized options during the summer. It's a new spark lighting up the economic engine! 🚀
Jet-Setting Across Borders 🌏
The summer travel fever isn't just local—it's global! Outbound and inbound travel bookings are skyrocketing. A report from Ctrip highlights a steady climb in China's tourism market, with nearly 7 million air tickets expected for international journeys this summer—a whopping 93% year-on-year increase!
In cities like Guangzhou, over 44,000 arrivals and departures were logged in just one day in July. In the first half of the year, China welcomed 14.64 million international visitors, a 153% leap from the previous year. Plus, 8.54 million took advantage of visa-free entry—a 190% surge!
This boom is partly thanks to China's 144-hour visa-free transit policy, opening doors for many first-time explorers.
Dai Bin, president of the China Tourism Academy, told China Media Group, \"Tourism has become a booming demand among people seeking a better quality of life. The desire to travel is the key driver for the holiday tourism economy.\"
He added, \"Authorities across regions are innovating tourism supply chains, especially by enhancing public cultural services. Building a friendly tourism environment plays a fundamental role in the creative development of China's tourism economy.\"
Get ready, adventurers! China's summer travel scene is hotter than ever, fueling not just epic memories but also blazing trails for the economy. Time to pack those bags! 🎒✈️
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
