China Outbound Travel
China Insight: Assessing the appetite for international travel
Travel data analyst China i2i Group reveals research into where Chinese travellers want to go in 2023, and about their spending priorities. By The Moodie Davitt Report Research Director Jessica Allerton.
With Chinese travellers free to travel internationally once more, a study from China i2i Group addresses some key questions about this critical traveller group through a major opinion survey.
Using the WeChat social media platform, China i2i Group conducted a big consumer study between 15 December and 6 January. It generated over 10,500 responses from people interested in international travel from China, who provided insight into their 2023 travel plans.
The research found that over 95% of Chinese travellers who had been overseas are planning to travel abroad again in 2023. China i2i Group reports that as soon as China announced plans to ease restrictions, searches by prospective travellers for international travel grew by over +1,000%.
Travelling for leisure is the most likely purpose, said respondents, with a strong desire to explore the world expressed by younger travellers. More affluent Chinese travellers said they are looking to restore their global lifestyles.
What is the primary purpose of your international travel in 2023
Source: China i2i Group
Top destinations intended by many Chinese on their first international trips include Thailand, Vietnam and Korea, all in relatively close proximity to China within Asia Pacific. Destinations in Europe also appear in the top ten most sought after, with countries including the UK, France and Italy.
Where do you plan to go for your first international trip in 2023
Source: China i2i Group
According to China i2i Group, Chinese international travellers will travel for longer than the global norm, with 39% intending to travel for 15+ days on their next trip overseas. 33% plan to travel for one week or less, while 28% will travel for less than one week. Most plan to travel in the summer months.
When you travel in 2023, how many days will you travel outside of china
Source: China i2i Group
When do you plan to travel from china in 2023
Source: China i2i Group
Chinese citizens have accumulated over US$17 trillion in cash holdings since 2019 according to research estimates. Adding credit availability, the total obtainable cash equivalent of Chinese consumers comes close to US$40 trillion, according to China i2i Group.
Alexander Glos, CEO at China i2i Group, states: “This will be the year of China travel, both in terms of tourism and shopping. It will start small, but like a snowball, will get larger as it accelerates. Groups need to get ready now, for the Chinese traveller is more mature, better experienced and wealthier than before.”
Partner's message
Partner's message
The Moodie Davitt eZine Issue 319 | 20 January 2023
The Moodie Davitt eZine is published 14 times per year by The Moodie Davitt Report (Moodie International Ltd). © All material is copyright and cannot be reproduced without the permission of the Publisher. To find out more visit www.moodiedavittreport.com and to subscribe, please e-mail kristyn@moodiedavittreport.com
Share this article:
