Chinese tourists' appetite for long-haul trips stays strong

A growing number of Chinese outbound tourists are seeking farther destinations and travel longer to gain diverse experiences, according to an overseas travel report.

This is a reflection of the growing importance of travel to Chinese tourists as a means of self-expression and relaxation, analysts said.

The Chinese International Travel Monitor 2017, released by global booking portal Hotels recently, shows that the average period of overseas trips has increased to seven days from five days previously.

Eighty percent of the respondents said they hope to visit multiple destinations in one trip.

Despite China's slower economic growth, Chinese tourists haven't reduced their overseas spending.

Data show that they spent roughly an average of 24,900 yuan ($3,700) on overseas travels over the past 12 months, increasing 24 percent year-on-year, accounting for some one-fourth of their income.

According to the report, Chinese travelers intend to spend an average of 10 percent more on international travel over the next 12 months, while millennials look to increase their spend the most, with around two-thirds of them saying they expect to spend more.

Shopping is no longer the prime reason for traveling according to the data, as more Chinese tourists turn their eyes on local culinary experiences, sightseeing tours and relaxation.

While 68 percent of the respondents to last year's survey showed interest in overseas shopping, the ratio dropped to 33 percent this year, representing an increasingly mature attitude of the group, industrial observers said.

Leisure is among the top interests for all Chinese travelers who participated in the survey, especially for millennials who are seeking new experiences and those born after the 1960s, many of whom are likely to travel without the company of their grownup children.

France and the United States are voted the most popular destinations for Chinese tourists for the next year, followed by Australia and Canada, indicating maintained interest in long-haul destinations.

The research shows that Chinese outbound travelers bring huge benefits to the global tourism market, said Zhuang Peifu, Greater China, Southeast Asia and India marketing director for Hotels.

For hoteliers, it will help to tap into the enormous consumption potential of the group to offer services tailor-made for Chinese travelers based on their behavior, preferences and habits, Zhuang said.

zhuanti@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 07/29/2017 page10)