Online and on message: Lin Zhizhuo

People's views of outbound tourism and ways of booking tour packages have changed in recent decades because of rapid developments in the economy and information technology, according to Lin Zhizhuo, deputy general manager of Ctrip, a popular online travel agency.

"The emergence of the internet greatly affected customers' behavior. They now use social media platforms such as WeChat and Taobao, and online travel service platforms, such as Ctrip," the 35-year-old said.

"In the 1990s, people booked outbound tour packages at brick and mortar travel agencies. The process was time-consuming because the product provider usually called or faxed the hotel and airline ticket supplier to check if the product the traveler had chosen was available."