Chinese tourists return for May Day holidays, boosting international bookings

After a long hiatus due to travel restrictions and pandemic-related concerns, Chinese tourists are gearing up for international travel once again. According to DidaTravel, a tech-driven global travel distribution company, Chinese travellers are eager to explore the world and bookings for trips abroad are recovering fast.

The upcoming May Day holiday, which runs from April 29 until May 3 and sees many people in China taking five days off, is expected to see a significant surge in international travel. Recent data shows that Chinese travellers’ international hotel bookings have increased 30-fold year on year (YOY), surpassing pre-pandemic 2019 volumes by 18%, reported TravelDailyNews.

Thailand retains its position as the top international destination for Chinese travellers, followed by Malaysia, the USA, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, the UAE, Singapore, Vietnam, and Australia in order of popularity. Other destinations in the top 20 most booked international destinations for Chinese tourists during the May Day holidays include the UK, South Korea, Italy, Spain, France, Turkey, Canada, Germany, Brazil, and the Netherlands.

These diverse destinations offer a wide range of attractions and experiences, from beautiful beaches and natural wonders to cultural landmarks and world-class shopping. The significant growth in the Chinese outbound tourism sector during the May Day holidays is expected to be a significant driver of recovery for the wider catering, hospitality, aviation, and logistics sectors.

The average length of a hotel stay is about two room nights during the May Day holiday, in line with pre-pandemic data. Furthermore, the average daily rate (ADR) for Chinese international hotel bookings has increased by 47% YOY, reaching 95% of their 2019 level. This is a positive sign for the travel industry, which has been hit hard by the pandemic.

With Chinese travel restrictions easing and vaccinations becoming more widely available, the return of Chinese tourists is a positive sign for the global travel industry. As more countries open their borders and travel restrictions ease, the travel industry is poised for a much-needed recovery.

Rikin Wu, DidaTravel’s CEO and Founder said the company is delighted to see the return of Chinese outbound travel during the May Day holidays.

“It is a testament to the pent-up demand for international travel that exists in China, and we are honoured to be playing our role in responding to the needs of the Chinese source market. Our company is dedicated to providing safe, affordable, and enjoyable travel experiences for Chinese travellers. We look forward to working closely with our partners worldwide and getting ready to welcome ever more Chinese travellers in the coming months and years.”