Rapid increase in travel demand
Searches for international hotels and flights surged in China as soon as authorities announced they would be easing COVID-19 travel restrictions.
Data from Trip.com Group shows that from December 26th to January 5th, search interest for flights departing from mainland China increased by 83% compared to the previous two weeks.
Actual bookings increased by a modest 59%, with a significant increase in tickets for the upcoming Chinese New Year period.
Top international destinations booked include Thailand, South Korea, Singapore, United States, Japan, Australia and Canada.
For lifestyle blogger Liu Wenwen, travel was part of life before the pandemic hit three years ago.
The 39-year-old Wuhan native visited more than 10 countries each year and created travel-related content full-time.
“As a travel blogger, I panicked. I wondered how long the pandemic would last. It was a question mark. said Liu, who refocused her content on the domestic travel and lifestyle market.
With severe restrictions lifted, she is looking forward to traveling again for work and leisure.
Her first priority is to visit Toronto and meet her Canadian husband’s friends and relatives in person for the first time. Because they started dating during the pandemic and got married last year.
It’s also been three years since her Chinese-born husband, James Cheng, returned.
“For the past three years, I have been worried that once I leave China, it will be more difficult to re-enter China.”
Couples are likely to only travel after the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival later this month as they wait for the COVID-19 situation in the country to stabilize.
“I would like to wait another month for the trends and changes in the pandemic to become clearer. Going abroad may give you more peace of mind,” Liu said.
