One of Cizhixin's best-selling packages
A new travel agency named Cizhixin (literally "Resignation Letter") opened in March this year, and has converted tens of thousands of customers from Xiaohongshu in approximately 40 days. According to the founder Shen Xiangxiang, as of May 1st, they hadn't launched a single group tour, but had already collected ¥500,000 ($70,000) in deposits and tour fees. It is estimated that turnover will exceed 1 million yuan in the next month. Cizhixin is making inroads with the growing trend of China's Gen Z reverting back to old-fashioned group tours, where they seek to mingle with like-minded strangers and expand their social circle.
New record for May holiday flights, as Chinese tourists visit 1,035 cities worldwide
In a contrast to May Day 2023, more Chinese travelers chose outbound tourism in 2024. In fact, outbound flight bookings for May Day 2024 even exceeded 2019 figures. Bookings for visa-free destinations exceeded 2019 numbers by 30% on average. Travel data shows that Chinese tourists booked hotels in 1,035 cities globally, bringing the country's holiday periods back to their previous global tourism consumption peak period status.
20 Chinese cities, including Beijing, now offer all-online travel documents processing
China's National Immigration Administration recently announced that, from May 6, 2024. Mainland Chinese residents can apply for replacement and renewal of entry and exit travel documents 100% online, "without leaving your home once."
Q1 2024 sees 14.19 billion domestic trips
China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism recently announced Q1 2024 travel data:
1.419 billion total domestic trips, a 203 million and 16.7% year-on-year increase
Urban residents made 1.077 billion domestic trips, an increase of 14.1% year-on-year
Rural residents made 342 million domestic trips, an increase of 25.7% year-on-year.
Total expenditure for these trips was ¥1.52 trillion ($207.6 billion), an increase of ¥220 billion (17%) year-on-year
Urban residents' travel expenditure was ¥1.29 trillion ($180 billion), an increase of 15.4% year-on-year
Rural residents' travel expenditure was ¥230 billion ($32 billion), an increase of 26.9% year-on-year
China waives visa fees for Nepalese citizens
As of May 1st, 2024, the Chinese Embassy in Nepal will waive visa fees for Nepalese citizens applying for visas to China, though expedited fees and service fees are charged as usual.
Ctrip launches free half-day tour upon arrival for international visitors to Shanghai
As of April 15th, Ctrip offers free half-day tour products to international passengers transiting in Shanghai. Not only does it provide free transportation and foreign language travel guides, but also offers services such as currency exchange and free internet access.
Shenzhen-Mexico City route to open on May 11th, the longest direct flight route in China
Southern Airlines has announced that it will open the Shenzhen-Mexico City direct flight route on May 11th, with two flights per week, operated by the Airbus A350 wide-body aircraft. This will be Southern Airlines' first direct flight to Latin America, and is currently the longest direct flight route in China.
32 Chinese agencies attend the 17th "Rendez-vous en France" tourism expo
The 17th "Rendez-vous en France" expo, held in Toulouse, recently marked the most important annual B2B exhibition in the French tourism industry. Hosted by Atout France, the French Tourism Development Agency, the expo looks to showcase and promote innovative products and services to the international tourism industry every spring. During the two-day exhibition this year, more than 1,500 French tourism professionals met and negotiated with 813 representatives from 62 countries and 28 journalists, including 32 representatives from the Greater China market.
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