Global travel swells as China reopens border Trip.com reveals

Thursday, December 28, 2023

In 2023, Trip.com reports China’s key role in global travel surge, with a 240% increase in trips, especially to Southeast Asia.

As 2023 draws to a close, Trip.com Group, a prominent player in the online travel industry, takes a moment to review the ever-evolving travel landscape of the year, shedding light on what’s anticipated to influence travel trends in 2024.

The decision to reopen China’s borders catalyzed a significant increase in global travel, primarily fueled by Chinese tourists eager to explore international destinations. Trip.com’s data reveals a remarkable surge in international travel bookings from China, with figures showing a six-time increase over the previous year. This surge was particularly noticeable during key vacation periods, such as the October Golden Week, which saw an eightfold rise in international travel. This surge set the stage for an impressive New Year holiday season from December 31, 2023, to January 3, 2024, marking a 240% increase in bookings compared to the same period in 2022.

The statistics further highlight a keen interest among Chinese travelers in visiting Southeast Asian countries, with many of these nations ranking as top choices for international destinations in 2023:

2023’s Most Popular Destinations for Chinese Travelers

1. Thailand
2. Japan
3. South Korea
4. Singapore
5. Malaysia

The momentum of outbound travel is expected to continue into 2024. Alongside this, there is a noticeable rebound in inbound travel to China. In 2023, Trip.com reported a significant rise in international visitor numbers, achieving more than 60% of the pre-pandemic figures.

Key source markets for inbound tourism to China, as per Trip.com data, include South Korea, Japan, Singapore, the United States, Australia, Malaysia, Canada, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and Germany. The top destinations within China for these visitors are Shenzhen, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing, Zhuhai, Hangzhou, Foshan, Xiamen, Zhongshan, and Chengdu, with Shenzhen attracting the majority of hotel bookings by international tourists.

Additionally, Trip.com’s “China Travel Guide,” a comprehensive resource for inbound visitors offering information on accommodations, transportation, payments, and other travel essentials, has assisted nearly 100,000 overseas travelers since its debut in September.

Trip.com has also collaborated with electronic payment services like Alipay, enhancing the travel experience for international visitors in China by simplifying payment processes.

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