Tuesday, October 8, 2024 Ctrip, a major Chinese online travel agency, has experienced a surge in daily bookings for both outbound and inbound travel during the National Day holiday. This increase represents a new record for the platform, highlighting a robust rebound in travel activity as holiday-goers make the most of their time off. Ctrip reported this boost in travel demand on Monday, emphasizing the holiday’s impact on tourism and the dynamic travel behaviors of its users.

One significant trend observed during the holiday period is the rise in family-oriented outbound travel. The proportion of families traveling abroad increased from 34 percent to 37 percent, showing that more families are seeking to spend quality time together during their vacations. Moreover, average spending on parent-child trips exceeded the general travel budget by over two times, underscoring the willingness of parents to invest in memorable travel experiences for their children.

Interestingly, Ctrip also pointed out that travelers from fourth and fifth-tier cities in China have become a notable segment in the outbound travel market. Daily bookings from these smaller cities surged dramatically, with fourth-tier cities seeing a 100 percent year-over-year increase, while fifth-tier cities experienced an even more remarkable 300 percent rise. This growth signifies the expanding travel aspirations of residents in less urbanized areas, reflecting an increased accessibility to international destinations.