More Chinese travellers are expected to head overseas during the Lunar New Year next month but the numbers will still be below pre-pandemic levels amid a weaker economic outlook and changing consumer preferences, analysts said.
Official figures released so far point to significant growth in passenger traffic during this year’s chun yun, the 40-day festive travel period when millions of Chinese return home or go overseas to celebrate the Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival.
On Friday, the first day of the travel season, 189 million passenger trips were made, up 19.7 per cent over the same period last year, state news agency Xinhua reported, citing figures from various government departments including the ministries of transport and public security, as well as China State Railway Group.
Migrant workers, who have powered China’s rapid urbanisation, are often denied social security benefits in an unregulated market.
The desire to leave the house was reflected in a forecast compiled by Chinese tech company Baidu, which said “travelling to celebrate the Spring Festival” may have become the “new” trend, driven by family tours as well as sightseeing in other provinces.
Participants discussed the boundary between nature and ecotourism, whether mass visits to unique areas can remain safe, the responsibilities of investors, and how to prepare tourists for visiting specially protected natural areas.
The head of state expressed confidence that the Forum will be held at a high level, and that its results will contribute to the development of tourism in Russia and the expansion of humanitarian and business ties.
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