China's Golden Week Sparks Surge in Outbound Tourism to Southeast Asia

The upcoming eight-day China Golden Week holiday, encompassing both the Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day break, is poised to ignite a significant resurgence in Chinese outbound tourism, marking the most substantial boom since the onset of the pandemic. Travel agencies are reporting an unprecedented increase in bookings, and Southeast Asia, especially Thailand, is emerging as a prominent destination for Chinese travelers, thanks to the country's relaxed travel policies.

Thailand's Visa-Free Policy Attracts Throngs of Chinese Travelers

On a historic note, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin personally welcomed the first wave of Chinese tourists arriving in Thailand as the nation introduced a five-month visa-free policy for Chinese travelers. Effective immediately, this move has ignited enthusiasm among Chinese tourists, propelling them to explore the vibrant landscapes of Thailand.

Spring Tours, a prominent travel agency, revealed that their travel packages to Thailand for the period from September 28 to October 1 are nearly sold out, with only a few spots remaining for the latter half of the holiday season. The surge in interest is further confirmed by online travel agency Trip.com , which reported an 800 percent increase in searches related to Thailand on its platform since the visa-free entry policy was announced.

Golden Week Promises Prosperity for Outbound Tourism

With the onset of the Golden Week holidays, spanning from September 29 to October 6, China's travel market is experiencing an impressive surge. According to Trip.com , bookings for outbound travel during this period have skyrocketed nearly 20 times compared to the previous year. Preferred destinations include Thailand, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, and the UK.

UTour Group anticipates that the number of outbound tourists during the Golden Week holiday will reach unprecedented levels, surging 500 percent compared to the May Day holidays earlier this year. These promising numbers signal a potential surpassing of the outbound tourism market's 2019 levels.

Challenges and Growth in Outbound Tourism

As the outbound tourism market flourishes, airfares have also seen a notable increase, with a 44 percent rise compared to the May Day holidays. This surge in outbound group tours and the easing of visa policies for Chinese tourists are favorable conditions for the ongoing recovery of the outbound tourism market.

In August, China expanded its resumption of outbound group tour services to 78 countries and regions, including popular destinations like the United States, Japan, South Korea, Australia, India, and various European countries. Despite the progress, industry experts acknowledge that international flight capacity remains limited, and visa processing times continue to be longer than pre-pandemic levels.

China's civil aviation authorities are actively working to expedite the recovery of international passenger flights. Recent data from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) indicates that the number of international passenger flights per week has reached 52 percent of the 2019 level. Additionally, passenger flight connectivity with nearly 90 percent of pre-pandemic levels has been reestablished in numerous countries.

Significantly, flights to 14 countries, including the UK, Italy, and the Maldives, have surpassed pre-pandemic levels, demonstrating the resilience and recovery of international travel amidst evolving conditions.

As the Golden Week approaches, China's outbound tourism market is poised to reach new heights, offering a glimmer of hope and recovery for the global travel industry.