Most Chinese prefer to travel independently: survey

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Around 80.2 percent of respondents to a China Youth Daily survey released Wednesday prefer to make their own travel plans instead of going on group trips planned by travel agents.

The survey of 2,001 Chinese people found that 86.7 percent of them love to travel.

A total of 63.3 percent of them prefer independent trips because they can set their own schedule, while 62.3 percent believe it is better to travel on their own.

"Without travel agents, tourists have more freedom. I can drive and enjoy the scenery along the road, or if the road is suitable for riding a bike, I will choose that," said Qin Mingxuan who works at a financial firm in Beijing.

The respondents' favorite mode of transportation is driving (74.4 percent).

Chinese tourists in Japan /VCG Photo

"I want to be free from being forced into shopping malls by travel agents, where you can do nothing but shop," Qin said. "Before the Internet, travel agents were a great help for those who knew little about their destination. With online travel guides, it is easy to travel independently.”

The survey also lists dos and don'ts for independent travelers.

A total of 61.6 percent like a detailed travel plan, 61.2 percent said traveling with companions is safer, and 57.6 percent suggested booking accommodation in advance.

China became the world’s top spender in international tourism in 2012 and has since led global outbound travel.

Data from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) shows that Chinese people account for 4.4 billion trips each year, making it the biggest domestic market in the world. In terms of international departures, the organization said Chinese people made over 135 million trips in 2016.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency