Sarah Yam’s Post

🚀 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 2024: 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭-𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 🌍 I’d love to share the latest insights on China’s outbound travel trends with all the sales and marketers out there who are eager to tap into this exciting market. With Golden Week 2024 just around the corner, the time is now to capture the attention of Chinese tourists—and trust me, this year is looking like a record-breaker! 🤩 🚀 👇 ✅️ This year, the surge in outbound travel is truly remarkable. Imagine this: visa applications have jumped by a whopping 70% compared to last year, with top destinations like Japan, Korea, Australia, the U.S., Vietnam, New Zealand, the UK, Russia, France, and Spain topping the list. These hotspots have always been favored, but there’s something different about this year—something exciting 🥳! ✅️ The world is opening up in ways we didn’t expect. Chinese travelers are branching out to 20 new and emerging destinations, like Armenia, Zambia, Papua New Guinea, North Macedonia, Guinea, and Gambia. Then there are the rising stars—places like Azerbaijan, Georgia, Tajikistan, Mexico, and Morocco—seeing a surge in demand. It’s as though Chinese tourists are craving the unknown, eager to explore fresh landscapes and cultures. ✅️ But here’s where it gets really interesting: while the Asia-Pacific region remains a favorite, Europe is having a moment. Outbound accommodation bookings to Europe have skyrocketed by an incredible 336% compared to 2023. It’s clear that more Chinese travelers are drawn to Europe’s rich history and vibrant experiences. Add the Mid-Autumn Festival into the mix, and we’re looking at a 113% year-over-year increase in overall outbound accommodation demand. For global hotels and businesses, this is a golden opportunity to tap into a booming market. ✅️ As Chinese travelers are exploring more, their preferences are becoming more diverse. Post-2000s travelers love the charm of city walks, discovering hidden gems as they stroll through vibrant streets. 90s tourists? They’re all about "special forces-style" fast-paced adventures, cramming in as many experiences as possible in a short time. Meanwhile, 80s travelers focus on family-friendly trips, while the 60s and 70s prefer mountain climbing and outbound tourism, seeking both nature and cultural discovery. 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬, 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 ✅️ For travel retail brands, tourism, and hospitality companies, the opportunity is clear: this is the moment to offer tailored experiences, from luxury packages to exclusive itineraries. PM me to get the latest 2024's China's outbound tourism insights report to capture Chinese tourists! 🤩 #hospitality #hospitalitymarketing #chinaoutboundtourism #hotelmarketing #hotelsandresorts #chinesesocialmediamarketing #chinatourism

There’s so much great trend data here from China’s OTA giant, C-Trip. Golden Week coming right up and Chinese working adults only need take 2 days of annual leave to get a 10 day holiday. So it’s a really important travel period. ✅ C-trip seeing bookings to secondary European cities, not just the capitals, reflecting the trend to explore beyond the norm ✅ Length of stay for Europe up from 10 to 14 days ✅ A significant shift towards long-haul destinations ✅ Australia, the United States, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, France, and Spain topping the list of most sought-after long-haul destinations Such a great opportunity for off-peak, long-stay, affluent visitors travelling to diverse destinations. And which national tourist office doesn’t want that? Joss Croft OBE - 杨博路 Rebecca Abrahams Emma Gordon Emma Colyer Chris Stuart Charlotte Ives Monica Glenn Andy Begg Miriam Vasconcelos Ian Nash Louisa Stott Emily Williamson Stuart Heath https://lnkd.in/edinTJEw

Zarina Kanji, WPIC's managing director for the UK and Europe, shared her insights on Chinese tourist spending with Vogue Business. Read her full comment below: "China’s international travel recovery is picking up steam, but the Chinese travel spending landscape has changed significantly from 2019. Before Covid, nearly three-quarters of Chinese luxury purchases occurred overseas, but that dropped to 10% during the pandemic years. Covid travel restrictions prompted luxury labels to invest heavily in building online and offline experiences in China customized for Chinese consumers. The enhanced experience and convenience of shopping domestically—including on domestic vacations to destinations like Hainan—means that more luxury spend is occurring domestically compared to before Covid.    Second, we’re seeing high-spend consumers shift their spending towards luxury travel experiences in diverse locations. The thought process is instead of going to Paris and buying a handbag, these consumers are going on safari in Tanzania or skiing in Almaty. There’s especially high growth in adventure, hobby, health, and nature-related tourism, which is being driven by high-spend consumers. Classic destinations like Japan and Thailand are still popular, but Chinese consumers are increasingly seeking unique and authentic travel experiences in more off-the-beaten-path destinations.     Finally, we're seeing consumers shopping for luxury in a more diverse range of locations than before the pandemic, with Chinese luxury goods spend in UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other markets seeing growth."

The Curse of Rich Travellers' Gaze: Approximately five years ago, I eagerly invested my first paycheck from an internship with American Express into a flight ticket bound for Armenia. Since then, I've cultivated a reputation for exploring offbeat destinations on modest budgets. Recent adventures include navigating Kazakhstan for $800, all expenses covered, and experiencing Zambia and Zimbabwe for under $1,000. My methodology for selecting these destinations draws inspiration from Joel Greenblatt's "magic formula". I evaluate countries based on criteria such as traveler safety, per capita GDP, and flight ticket prices. By assigning ranks to these factors and blending them, I arrive at a preference ranking that guides my travel decisions. However, as I began to exhaust the list of top-tier destinations, I encountered a significant challenge. When planning my summer holiday destination, I set my sights on the formidable task of climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. It was during this process that I fully understood, what I now call the curse of Rich travellers' gaze. Mt. Kilimanjaro has gained such widespread renown that it attracts throngs of tourists from high-income countries. To capitalize on this influx of affluent visitors, the national park has implemented steep entry fees and imposed requirements such as mandatory guides who demand exorbitant prices. Consequently, the cost of the trip has soared to a minimum of $2,000, rendering it unattainable even for local residents. Similar challenges are encountered with other iconic destinations such as Mt. Stanley in Uganda and Mt. Kenya. Even accessing natural wonders like Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe carries a prohibitive entry fee of $50, pricing out many local residents who view it as a luxury. Another issue stemming from the presence of affluent travelers is the commodification of tourism experiences. Hotels and adventure operators have understood the willingness to spend of these travelers and have priced it so high, that it has attracted many such players resulting in a high margin, low turnover industry (e.g., game drives priced at $500 for a few hours). This high sensitivity on turnover can lead to malpractices that diminish the overall experience for visitors, prompting them to seek out reputable affiliations like Lonely Planet or quality assurance certifications. While first world countries make you jump a thousand hoops before issuing a Visa, I wonder why these forex hungry Global South countries grants preferential access to these rich countries (often former colonizers) instead of charging a high visa fee upfront and make these attractions accessible to locals as well as shoestring traveler like me. In essence, this phenomenon mirrors the economic concept of Dutch disease, albeit within the travel industry. #travel #Visa #globalisation #tourism #Inclusivepolicy

Want to know the latest travel trends? I read a 400-page report about travel so you don't have to. Here's what you need to know in under two minutes: 1. France, Spain, the US, Italy, and Turkey were the world's most visited countries in 2023. • These countries received a total of 363 million international tourists. 2. 60% of tourism experts say high costs are a major challenge for international travel. • The economy, extreme weather, and geopolitical events also affect tourism numbers. 3. 67% of Millennial and Gen Z travelers will travel for sports this year. • Sports tourism includes attending a team's away game and major events like the Paris Olympics. 4. India is becoming one of the world’s most important countries in the travel industry. • India’s outbound travel spending will increase from $38 billion in 2019 to $89 billion in 2027. 5. Munich, Vienna, and Zürich are the most popular European cities for travelers this summer. • Popular cities like Paris and London didn’t make the top 10 for growth in international arrivals. 6. Belize, Curaçao, and Aruba are trending destinations in the Caribbean. • Each country saw over 20% more tourist arrivals compared to last year. 7. Saudi Arabia's 56% rise in tourist arrivals in 2023 helped the Middle East's tourism industry reach pre-pandemic levels. • The country plans to reach 150 million visitors and have tourism account for 10% of its economy by 2030. You should check out the full report for more insights. I'll share a link in the comments. Where do you think travel is headed in the next few months? (This video is from my trip to Lisbon) ———————————————————— Enjoyed this post? I ghostwrite LinkedIn posts for tech founders & CEOs to boost their personal brands and drive business growth. DM me “Travel” and I’ll create a personalized LinkedIn post that showcases your journey and expertise.

🪙📅The Golden Week in #China has begun, one of the most important travel periods for Chinese tourists, planning longer trips this year. A recent report from Goldman Sachs Equity Research predicts moderate growth in China's domestic #tourism of 5-6% compared to last year. In comparison, international tourism is set to increase by 62%, reaching 94% of 2019 levels. ✈️ #Trip duration. The average Golden Week booking exceeds seven days, but those travelling to #Europe are staying up to twice as long. 🏨 #Accommodation. While most travellers opt for mid-range accommodations, the growth in five-star hotel bookings in Europe is nearly three times higher than in the Asia-Pacific region. 🌍 Multi #destination trips. About 1 in 3 travellers heading to Europe booked multi-destination itineraries, whereas 80% of travellers within Asia-Pacific are sticking to single-destination trips. 🎟️ Advanced #planning. Another sign of #recovery is that travellers plan further in advance, submitting visa applications on average 68 days before their trip, 29 days earlier than last year. 🚗 #Outdoor activities and car rentals. Fliggy's report shows an increase in car rental and cruise bookings, along with growing interest in outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and sailing. 💰 Increased #spending. Despite economic uncertainty, Chinese travellers are spending about 6% more than during last year’s Golden Week. Many are investing between RMB 10,000 and 30,000 per trip, with a strong preference for local culinary experiences (76% of travellers are willing to spend more on food and drink). 🎭 #Cultural tourism. Around 70% of travellers participate in cultural or sporting events during their trips, favouring unique experiences such as opera performances in Europe or fireworks festivals in Japan. 📊 #Travel from smaller cities. Residents of third-tier and smaller cities are increasingly travelling abroad, with bookings up 2.5 times compared to last year, while second-tier city bookings have grown by 76%. 🔑 New #preferences. Chinese tourists now seek unique and personalized experiences, such as self-drive tours or cruises, demonstrating that post-pandemic travel is about more than just sightseeing. Chinese platforms like Ctrip and Qunar, and #SocialMedia apps like #Xiaohongshu and WeChat, continue to dominate the online #booking market, offering a mix of convenience and user-generated content that helps travellers make informed decisions.

Japan voted Best Country in the world for second year in a row in Conde Nast Traveler poll - https://lnkd.in/gtysUAzW Conde Nast Traveler has released the results of its Readers’ Choice Awards, and for the second year in a row, Japan has been voted Best Country. Japan finished with a score of 95.32 in the annual user survey, followed by Switzerland at 94.62 and Thailand at 92.29. A detailed breakdown of the scoring system isn’t provided, but in announcing the results Conde Nast references pent-up demand for travel to Japan, which was one of the very last countries to re-open to international leisure travel following the start of the coronavirus pandemic, with restrictions in place even as the eyes of the world turned to Japan during the Tokyo Olympics. The Games being over doesn’t mean that there’s a lack of things to see and do in Japan, though, and Conde Nast cites such myriad attractions as the country’s iconic cherry blossoms and Ghibli Park as being big draws for visitors from overseas, along with historical architecture, avant-garde art events, and delicious food and drink. Japan also ranked sixth in the survey’s rankings of Friendliest Countries in the World, and Tokyo placed sixth on its list of Friendliest Cities in the World. ▼ The Park Hyatt Kyoto was voted Japan’s best hotel in the survey Image: PR Times Not mentioned in the announcement, but impossible to ignore, is the impact of current currency exchange rates. During the last two years the yen has been extremely weak, making travel in Japan its most affordable in a generation for inbound international travelers. With Conde Nast being primarily focused on luxury travel, cost might not seem like it would be a major concern for its readers, but the immensely favorable exchange rate is allowing those with moderately deep pockets to enjoy some of Japan’s finest high-end travel experiences, with the added bonus of enjoying them in a country with highly developed travel infrastructure even outside of resort areas. It’s unclear how long the exchange rate will be so attractive for foreign tourists. Japan’s unique cultural mix of modern and classical elements, though, and its penchant for blending home-grown traditions with intriguing influences from outside its borders, are fundamental parts of its society, though, and so it’s going to remain a great place to visit for years to come. Source: Conde Nast Traveler Read more stories from SoraNews24. -- Japan Ninja Council produces first-ever official hotel room in Tokyo’s Ueno -- Japanese government wants to build luxury resorts in all national parks for foreign tourists -- Shizuoka’s local Cherry Beans Potato French fries are just plain devilishly good External Link https://lnkd.in/gqEcMmv5

Booking.com travellers from all over the 🌏 shared their 2024 plans with us. Learn how you can further cater to their needs below, by checking the insights from travellers from all five regions. Asia trends for 2024: ✔ 66% of Asian travellers are planning a short domestic trip, and 38% are eyeing short international getaways – both above the global average. ✔ Nature trips are taking the top spot for preferred travel types, showcasing the region's love for the natural world. ✔ Hotels remain the number one accommodation choice, but 38% of Asian travellers are drawn to resorts – the highest of any region. ✔ For Asian travellers, it’s family first. Almost 64% plan to travel with family members. Meanwhile, in Oceania: ✔ Travellers are more likely to take both shorter and longer domestic trips compared to the global average. ✔ While short international trips are on the low side – just 13% of Oceania travellers will take one – longer international trips are slightly more popular than the global average. ✔ 57% of travellers from New Zealand are planning a trip to see family or friends – more than any other country worldwide. ✔ While the majority of Oceania travellers (54%) will stay in a hotel while travelling in 2024, this is below the global average. It's fascinating to see how travel preferences are shaping up for the upcoming year. Check out our Partnerships Resource site where you can dig a little deeper into travel trends for other regions (https://lnkd.in/gXehUkgZ). 💡 Insights by travellers from North America 💡 Insights by travellers from Latin America 💡 Insights by travellers from Asia 💡 Insights by travellers from Oceania 💡 Insights by travellers from Europe What are your travel plans for 2024? #TravelTrends #AsianTravel #OceaniaTravel #ShortTrips #NatureTravel #FamilyTravel #Travel2024 #bookingcom

European Travelers Fancy Vietnam for Summer 2024 Agoda, a leading digital travel platform, released intriguing insights on May 23rd. Based on Agoda’s search data for April 2024, Malaysia witnessed an impressive 89% surge in search traffic, followed by Japan with a 71% year-over-year increase. Vietnam, notably, took third place, experiencing a 66% rise in searches from European travelers. Mr. Vu Ngoc Lam, Country Director of Agoda Vietnam, attributed the significant growth in searches for Vietnam in 2024 compared to the previous year to the country’s growing allure for European travelers. He highlighted that Vietnam is increasingly becoming a preferred choice for European travelers planning their summer vacations. A deeper dive into the data reveals that France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Spain were the top five European countries with the highest search volume for Vietnam in April 2024. Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, and Nha Trang emerged as the three most sought-after destinations in Vietnam among European travelers. These locations offer a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and cultural immersion, making them ideal choices for those seeking extended summer getaways in Vietnam. Hoi An is one of the three most sought-after destinations in Vietnam by European travelers. With summer approaching in Europe, Asian destinations, including Vietnam, are not only among the most popular choices outside of Europe but are also experiencing robust growth. Agoda recorded a remarkable 52% increase in accommodation searches by European travelers in April 2024 for their summer trips to Asia. These insights underscore the strong appeal of Asian destinations to a diverse range of travelers. European travelers are drawn to Asia for the richness of experiences it offers, ranging from vibrant city life and ancient historical sites to idyllic vacation spots. The post European Travelers Fancy Vietnam for Summer 2024 appeared first on xe.today.

As Hong Kong rebuilds and redefine its tourism landscape, the rise of Asia’s middle class presents a tremendous opportunity for our city. With 3.5 billion people expected to join this demographic by 2030, recent research from Expedia highlights a strong commitment to travel, even amid inflationary pressures. For Hong Kong, this means creating value-driven premium experiences that offer a blend of luxury and affordability. Leveraging technology to offer seamless, personalised journeys aligns perfectly with our city’s potential and will be key to attracting these travellers. Hong Kong has a unique chance to position itself as a leader in Asia’s tourism revival, offering memorable, tech-enhanced experiences for the modern traveller. #HongKongTourism #AsiaMiddleClass #TravelInnovation #TourismRecovery