As the warmth of summer envelops the Chinese mainland, a vibrant surge in travel is breathing new life into the nation\u2019s economy. Iconic landmarks are teeming with visitors, both domestic and international, marking the peak season that spans July and August.
The China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. anticipates a staggering 860 million railway passenger trips during these two months, averaging 13.87 million journeys daily. This robust demand is propelled by vacationers, tourists, and family visitors eager to explore the nation\u2019s vast landscapes.
To accommodate this influx, railway operators are enhancing capacity by introducing an additional 276 temporary trains each day\u2014128 more than the same period last year. Nationwide, approximately 11,500 trains are scheduled daily to meet travelers\u2019 needs.
Air travel is also experiencing a significant uptick. Data from the flight travel app Umetrip indicates that domestic flight bookings between July 1 and August 31 have exceeded 18 million, a 23 percent increase compared to last year. Airlines are expanding their services, with planned inbound and outbound flights reaching approximately 145,000, and nearly 7 million tickets already booked\u2014nearly double the figure from the previous year.
Several airlines report that planned daily domestic flights will surpass pre-pandemic levels of 2019, with international flights expected to match those of the same year. Additional flights have been scheduled to popular destinations, including cities in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sichuan Province, and Hainan Province.
“To ensure a smooth travel experience, we have deployed volunteers at check-in counters and special service areas,” said Quan Xiaoyi, vice president of Sanya Phoenix International Airport. “We have also opened green channels for university freshmen to enhance travel efficiency.”
The Summer Vacation Economy
Behind this travel boom lies a dynamic “summer vacation economy,” driven by educational and family tourism. According to travel agency Ctrip, nearly 40 percent of summer travelers have chosen child-friendly attractions, with theme parks in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Zhuhai emerging as top family destinations.
“The popularity of family trips and educational tours underscores the increasing demand for enriching family interactions and educational experiences,” noted Xiao Peng, a researcher at online travel agency Qunar.com. “These trends are fostering the transformation of the tourism industry toward diversification and personalized experiences.”
Chinese authorities are implementing measures to help tourism businesses cater to evolving consumer demands. Fu Hanxiao, an official with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, announced that nearly 37,000 cultural tourism consumption events will be launched nationwide this summer. These events cover over 4,000 consumption categories and include initiatives such as coupons, discounts, and affordable package deals.
From the Spring Festival to May Day and the Dragon Boat Festival, this year’s holidays have seen a rapid recovery in cultural and tourism consumption, highlighting the immense potential of China’s vast market of over 1.4 billion people.
Analysts believe that industries such as tourism, education, and entertainment will thrive in the coming years due to increasing demand for quality and personalized options during the summer season, serving as a new catalyst for economic momentum.
Robust Inbound and Outbound Tourism
The summer travel enthusiasm has also led to a surge in inbound and outbound travel bookings. A report from Ctrip heralds a steady ascent in China\u2019s tourism market, with nearly 7 million air tickets expected to be booked for both inbound and outbound journeys this summer\u2014a remarkable 93 percent year-on-year increase.
In the first half of this year, China welcomed 14.64 million international visitors, a 153 percent leap from the previous year. Notably, 8.54 million entered through visa-free entry policies, a 190 percent surge, according to the National Immigration Administration.
“Tourism has become a burgeoning demand among people seeking a better quality of life,” said Dai Bin, president of the China Tourism Academy. “Tourism demand is the most important factor in promoting the development of the holiday tourism economy.”
“In promoting the development of the tourism economy, authorities in various regions have pushed forward innovation in tourism supply chains, especially in improving public cultural services,” Dai added. “Creating a friendly tourism marketing environment plays a fundamental supporting role in the innovative development of China\u2019s tourism economy.”
