Many Chinese willing to travel after the end of the epidemic
Updated 14:28, 03-Apr-2020
CGTN

With the weather getting warmer and flowers blooming across the country, people are eager to go out and enjoy the beautiful scenery, since the coronavirus epidemic situation is getting better.

01:20

People show enthusiasm for traveling when epidemic ends

Recent surveys showed that nearly half of respondents expect to travel before the end of June if the COVID-19 epidemic situation can be effectively controlled by then.

The report, jointly released by the China Tourism Academy and Trip.com Group, a leading Chinese online travel agency, was based on answers by 15,000 respondents, mostly aged 18 to 45, from close to 100 cities nationwide. According to it, May is the most favorable travel month as 16 percent of those polled said they would choose that month.

Summer season from June to August also proved to be a popular option, while 14 percent hopes for a trip in October, when the seven-day National Day holiday falls.

As for means of transportation, the report said 41 percent of the respondents would choose to travel by car, which was followed by those opting for high-speed trains, accounting for 29 percent, according to the report.

Domestic traveling preferred

Another report jointly released by the Ivy Alliance Tourism Consulting, China Comfort Tourism Group, and Asia Pacific Tourism Association focuses more on the destinations preferred by tourists after the epidemic comes to an end in China. 

The pandemic is now spreading over the world and many countries have adopted strict entry restrictions resulting in the delay of the recovery market in overseas tourism.

More than 90 percent of the respondents would choose domestic tours, the report noted, adding the current booking statistics provided supporting evidence to the trend.

According to the report, products for leisure will be the first choice for domestic tourism. Most of the tourists tend to spend their leisure time at the seaside, accounting for 54 percent; following by 42 percent that say they are going to find a hostel in the suburb for relaxing. Another 36 percent of the respondents are interested in mountain related programs.

The report released the top 10 tourism provinces and cities as destinations, which are Yunnan, Hainan, Tibet Autonomous Region, Sichuan, Xinjiang, Chongqing, Beijing, Fujian, Zhejiang, and Shaanxi. These provinces are rich in natural and cultural resources, beautiful natural scenery, unique ethnic minorities' customs, dynamic and elegant city charm.

Health protection is the main concern 

The outbreak of the coronavirus epidemic has had a great impact on people's demand for tourism products. More tourists are having higher expectations for tourism services such as the sanitary situation, visitor's flow control, and safety measurements.

The tourists generally hope that travel agencies and local tourism departments can take necessary measures to ensure the health and safety of tourists, and timely provide information on the epidemic risk on the destination.

Some respondents suggested that travel agencies could further improve the quality of tourism products, such as enhancing the standard of accommodation and food, reducing shopping part during the trip and relax the schedule.

Also, some guests suggest that travel agencies can provide more diversified tourism products, especially private customized travel, and in-depth travel experiences.