China's tourism sector has sparked vibrant activity on the inaugural day of the five-day Labor Day holiday, with diversified trends among travelers characterizing the nation's travel landscape.
Rising popularity of lesser-known destinations
Firstly, lesser-known third and fourth-tier cities have seen a more notable increase in popularity compared to first or second-tier cities. Destinations such as Tianshui, Lishui, and Jinhua have witnessed a 40 percent year-on-year increase in travel bookings, according to leading Chinese travel service provider Ctrip. Meanwhile, county-level regions have experienced a 64 percent year-on-year surge in hotel reservations and a 200 percent spike in ticket bookings.
The ancient town of Guzicheng bustling with tourists in Jinhua city, Zhejiang Province, China, May 1, 2024. /CFP
Exploring cultural and natural treasures
Both cultural pursuits and natural scenery are drawing interest from travelers, as museums, theme parks, and scenic vistas recorded significant upticks in order volumes, surging by 31, 10, and 50 percent year on year respectively on May 1. Additionally, there's a discernible trend towards village tourism, with a notable 15 percent increase in travelers opting for rustic retreats, as indicated by China Mobile's Wutong Big Data.
Henan Museum was packed with tourists in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China, May 1, 2024. / CFP
Global wanderlust
In terms of outbound travel, record-breaking bookings for international flight tickets were registered on the same day. Notably, destinations offering visa waivers for Chinese citizens have witnessed a notable 30 percent surge in bookings compared to the same period in 2019. During the holiday period, Chinese tourists are expected to visit some 1,000 cities across the globe.