9 out of 10 Chinese travelers are hoping to travel more frequently as compared to five years ago according to a survey by technology company Sabre.
Higher disposable income (20%), enabling technologies that make traveling more convenient (17%), and access to relevant travel information (15%) are the top three factors that have contributed to this increase in travel.
Motivations for travel are increasingly diversified in China; and, Chinese travelers are no longer satisfied with traditional sightseeing. More Chinese travelers are involved in travel planning; however, 78% still welcome and value support from travel service providers.
As China continues to cement its position as the world’s largest outbound travel market, it’s especially important that travel service providers and businesses have a deeper understanding of the Chinese traveller’s evolving preferences to effectively cater to their needs
said Alan Chen, regional director, North Asia, Sabre Travel Network Asia Pacific.
The top three motivations for Chinese travelers are to find an outlet where they can relax (25%), have a good time with friends or family (22%), and seek a better understanding of foreign cultures (17%). While 49% of the respondents see travel as a means of personal improvement, over half (51%) of the respondents say it has become a new form of social currency.
More Chinese travelers are starting to pay attention to the quality of travels and are now more inclined towards personalized travel experiences. A majority of respondents (74%) in the Sabre survey expressed that they are willing to spend time and energy on their travel plans. This reflects the growing sense of self-empowerment and investment in personalizing travel experiences.
However, many Chinese travelers (78%) still welcome and value support from friends, relatives and travel service providers.