China’s lockdowns, consumption concerns see short trips dominate in the new year
- China saw an 18 per cent year-on-year decline in the number of travellers over the three-day holiday that ended on Monday, to 86.19 million
- Fewest rail passengers since 2018, as many Chinese decide to hunker down and save money, rather than visit popular tourist destinations such as Xian
While long-distance travel in China remains curtailed by sporadic coronavirus outbreaks and restrictions, local consumption got a boost in the new year as many residents opted to stay put for the long holiday weekend.
China recorded about 86.19 million travellers from Saturday to Monday – an 18 per cent year-on-year decline, according to the Ministry of Transport.
The number of railway passengers declined by 15.1 per cent compared with a year earlier and reached 21.76 million, while the number of people travelling by air fell to 2.46 million, down 26.8 per cent from the same period last year.
This three-day holiday also saw its fewest rail passengers since 2018, according to figures collected by financial and business media outlet Jiemian News.
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New Covid-19 lockdown imposed on Chinese city of Xian, home to famed terracotta warriors
Meanwhile, a number of cities saw residents spending more locally and not travelling as far. Trips taken within provinces accounted for nearly 60 per cent of travel bookings for the holiday – up from about 50 per cent last year – according to online travel agency Trip.com.