ForwardKeys: China Travel Recovery at a Phenomenal Pace in Q3.

Valencia – 8 August, 2023 – The latest air ticketing data by ForwardKeys, the lead travel data and insights firm, shows that Chinese tourism recovery is still in progress, but it is advancing swiftly, compared to neighbouring Japan. Four weeks after the initial lifting of travel restrictions, both countries showed similar levels of outbound travel recovery, at approximately 15% of pre-pandemic levels. However, in the subsequent months, a disparity emerged. By the 21–28-week mark, after restrictions were lifted, China's outbound travel nearly reached 49% of its 2019 figures. In contrast, Japan only managed to recover to around 27% of the previous year's numbers during the equivalent period.

During Q3, among the top 10 most resilient destinations for China outbound travel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) stands out by claiming the top spot with an impressive 6% growth compared to the levels seen in 2019.

“The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is an approved group tour destination. It maintains a robust relationship with China through its active participation in the 'One Belt One Road' initiative. In the context of post-pandemic recovery, Chinese airlines have played a pivotal role by contributing significantly to the restoration of flight capacity to the UAE, with seat availability almost matching the levels observed before the pandemic,” says China Market Analyst, Nan Dai from ForwardKeys.

Additionally, the UAE extends the convenience of visa-on-arrival options for Chinese travellers, a feature of considerable value, particularly given the extended visa application process that exists during the ongoing pandemic period. These factors collectively reinforce the UAE's appeal as a resilient and accommodating destination for Chinese tourists, offering a seamless and accessible travel experience.

“Chinese travellers prefer Southeast Asia as a favoured destination region, primarily due to its increased accessibility through numerous flights and relatively relaxed visa restrictions”, adds Dai.

The UK and Australia are emerging as prominent long-haul markets, showcasing notable recovery trends. This resurgence can be attributed to a substantial rise in bookings from international students who typically plan their trips to return to school in August and September.