Eyes on 2024: Trip.com reveals top travel trends, AI revolution, and sustainable journeys
As the sun sets on 2023, Trip.com Group reflects on the dynamic landscape of travel over the past year, offering insights into the trends set to shape the journey in 2024. China's border reopening sparks global travel surge. AI takes center stage in predictive planning for 2024. Music festivals and theme parks lead the way for the new year.
Number of Chinese tourists to Thailand highest in Southeast Asia
Thailand received the highest number of Chinese tourists in Southeast Asia between January and November, with over 3.1 million arrivals. Vietnam ranked second with 1.5 million Chinese arrivals, followed by Malaysia with 1.4 million, according to data collected from the tourism ministries of regional countries. Deemed one of the world's safest places, Singapore, famous for its strict gun control and low crime rate, has started benefiting from the Chinese travel sentiment changes.
Thailand hosts top Chinese influencers in exclusive Thailand trip
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) organized an event named ‘A Picnic Celebration at the Museum’ as a warm welcome for prominent Chinese influencers who are part of the ‘Amazing Festive & Exclusive Trip in Thailand.’ The event has invited 93 top influencers from China to delve into immersive travel experiences across Bangkok, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Chiang Mai, Chanthaburi, Phang-nga, and Ko Mak from December 21st to 28th, 2023.
Families of MH370 victims urge new search after experts say plane could be found ‘within days’
Relatives of Chinese passengers on the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 refreshed their call to resume the search for the aircraft after two French experts claimed renewed efforts could find the plane “within days”.
China Tourism Group Duty Free (CTGDF), parent company of the world’s number one travel retailer, China Duty Free Group (CDFG) announced its respective subsidiaries have entered into revised rental agreements with Shanghai Pudong International, Shanghai Hongqiao and Beijing Capital International airports. Commenting on the Shanghai agreement in particular, Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research said, “We consider the revised contract as incrementally favorable to CTGDF and negative to Shanghai Airport when compared to existing agreements in that the minimum guarantee amount has been lowered significantly.
New high-speed railway paves way for seamless tourism in eastern China
A new high-speed railway connecting a series of popular tourist attractions in east China commenced full operation on Wednesday, which is poised to boost the development of tourism and other industries. The entire 560-km-long Hangzhou-Nanchang high-speed railway is now operational after the section connecting Huangshan City in Anhui Province and Nanchang City in Jiangxi Province was officially put into use Wednesday following over five years of construction.
Cruise trend to lift travel industry in 2024
Going on a cruise to ring in the New Year is a new trend for many Chinese travelers, and international cruise operators plan to ride this trend in 2024 and continue increasing their investments in China to meet growing demand and realize the tremendous growth potential. For the New Year's holiday period, cruise bookings have been robust, market insiders said. Voyages that will depart from home ports such as Shanghai, Tianjin and Shenzhen in Guangdong province have doubled relative to the same period of 2020, according to Trip.com Group.
Sanya witnesses peak season for tourism
Since the beginning of winter, the tourism market in Sanya has been heating up continuously. According to official data, the city witnessed a peak season for tourism since mid-November, which is expected to last until the Spring Festival.
