Tuesday, January 28, 2025 China’s travel resurgence for Chinese New Year 2025 unveils eight key trends, highlighting a shift in preferences and destinations for festive travelers. ForwardKeys Highlights a Remarkable Rebound in Chinese Outbound Travel for Chinese New Year 2025 Fresh data from ForwardKeys reveals a notable resurgence in Chinese outbound travel as the world gears up for the 2025 Chinese New Year (CNY) celebrations. The eight-day holiday, spanning January 28 to February 4, has triggered a surge in travel activity, with peak departures observed on January 18 and 25, as many travelers set off early to maximize their festive break.
As Chinese tourists prepare to explore global destinations, emerging trends for CNY 2025 reflect significant shifts compared to both 2024 and pre-pandemic travel patterns. Between January 13 and February 16, outbound travel from China to other Asian countries has surged by 48% year-on-year, narrowing the gap with 2019 levels to just 8%. Destinations such as Malaysia, Singapore, and the UAE have outperformed pre-pandemic figures, with respective growth rates of +41%, +26%, and +14% compared to 2019.
A weakened Yen has made Japan a top choice for Chinese tourists, driving a 104% year-on-year increase compared to 2024 and a 20% rise above 2019 levels. Travel from China to Russia has grown by 30% over 2024 and stands 39% above pre-pandemic levels, spurred by an increased interest in winter attractions, relaxed visa policies, and greater fli.