Key barometers of Chinese travel and its emerging behavioral and spending patterns

Although outbound travel grabs headlines, the key barometers of Chinese travel and its emerging behavioral and spending patterns are found within its vast borders. 

Because of COVID-19's persistent impacts from 2020-2022, 2019 remains the revival benchmark.  

Chinese travelers made 6 billion domestic trips in 2019. This more than halved to 2.8 billion in 2020, followed by a rebound to 3.4 billion in 2021 and a further downturn to 2.6 billion in 2022. 

With travel restrictions removed, the China Tourism Academy forecasts 5.5 billion trips in 2023 or 92% of the 2019 total. 

According to Phocuswright’s travel research report China Travel Market Report 2022-2026, gross travel bookings are forecast to increase by 72% to reach $153.7 billion in 2023.

Here are key factors that will contribute to China’s growth: 

• China's mobile-centric consumer market is in a perpetual state of evolution powered by intelligent app technologies. This radiates into the travel economy, with new trends and behaviors continually developing and diversifying. China's online travel infrastructure is driven by mobile bookings and cashless transactions.  
• Its airlines are aggressive competitors in regional markets and are adding home-built aircraft to their fleets.  
• The country's high-speed rail network is unmatched in size and is rolling out faster trains with enhanced comforts.  
• The car rental segment is scaling rapidly and dovetails with consumers' passion for mobile-booked ride hailing.  
• The hotel pipeline is re-activating with new budget, mid-range and luxury openings in cities nationwide.  
• MICE activity is strengthening, and the cruise segment is entering a new era of China-made cruise ships.