China’s Spring Festival promotes cultural exchange and tourism
Domestic and international travel in China spike significantly during Spring Festival, the Chinese New Year. The festival sparks the world’s largest migration as billions travel across China over a 40-day transportation period. This year, Spring Festival will be celebrated Wednesday, January 29. Festivities last 15 days and end with the Lantern Festival on February 12. The holiday not only strengthens family bonds but also promotes cultural exchange and tourism-driven economic growth.
The economic impact of the Spring Festival is far-reaching. Inbound travel orders during Spring Festival surged by 203% year-on-year. The Spring Festival travel rush is expected to see a 7% increase in cross-regional population mobility.
Popular destinations like Shanghai, Beijing, and Harbin are attracting large numbers of travelers. Datong, a niche destination located significantly northwest of Shanghai and Beijing, is seeing a remarkable increase in popularity. The travel industry, catering, and retail sectors all benefit greatly. Watch the interview below for more insights.
What’s behind the surge in China tourism?
China recorded 610 million entries and exits last year, marking a 44% increase from 2023. This growth can be attributed to multiple factors. Among them: International travelers are looking for new destinations and China has emerged as a top choice.
China’s visa-free and transit visa-free policies for 38 and 54 countries respectively have been gamechangers for international travel. These policies, along with China’s rich tourism resources, have led to a staggering 112.3% year-on-year increase in the number of foreign nationals entering the country without a visa. The transit-free policy, covering 54 countries including major players like the United States, Canada, and the UK, allows travelers to stay for 10 days visa-free.
These policies simplify business trips. Companies can send their employees to China more spontaneously for meetings, negotiations, and project collaborations. It reduces the administrative burden of visa applications, enabling quicker decision-making for business travel.
The role of social media in shaping travel choices
Social media, especially platforms like Douyin and Xiaohongshu (Red Note), have transformed how travel is marketed and sold. People share their travel experiences, rich media content, and detailed instructions. This influences corporate travel decisions and leisure trips. Business travelers can now research local business-friendly destinations, find unique meeting venues, and even get insights into local business cultures through these platforms.
Tourism serves as a powerful tool for people-to-people exchanges
Face-to-face interactions are irreplaceable in the corporate world. Business travelers can experience Chinese culture firsthand, break down misperceptions, and build stronger relationships. The transit visa-free policy, with 60 different ports of entry, allows travelers to explore beyond the typical Shanghai and Beijing, further promoting these exchanges. Watch the full episode below for more on these developments.
