Travel distribution firm DidaTravel presented a report on key hotel booking trends observed during China’s recent Golden Week holiday period.

Based on findings, China’s outbound travel continues its rapid recovery, with hotel bookings for trips abroad showing impressive growth.

According to DidaTravel’s latest data, during the Golden Week holiday, when many Chinese travellers take a seven-day break from 1 to 7 October, hotel bookings surged across various regions compared to last year: up by 190 percent in the Americas, 78 percent in Europe, 77 percent in Asia-Pacific, and 106 percent in the Middle East.

Also, the average hotel stay duration for international travellers remained stable at around two nights, consistent with pre-pandemic trends. 

While Average Daily Rates (ADR) showed a slight increase in the Middle East, they were marginally lower in other regions compared to last year.

According to DidaTravel president Stone Fan: “The evolving preferences of Chinese travellers signal a new era for the global travel industry. At DidaTravel, we not only prepared for the resurgence of outbound tourism but are also helping to shape it. By leveraging our insights and technology, our commitment remains steadfast in redefining how the world connects with Chinese travellers, creating seamless, enriching journeys that reflect their growing desire for exploration and discovery.”

Where did travellers go during the holiday? 

As of 8th October, the top 20 most popular international destinations for Chinese travellers during the Golden Week holiday were Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, the United States, Italy, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Australia, Turkey, Iceland, the Philippines, and New Zealand. 

Among international cities, the most booked destinations were Bangkok, Tokyo, Singapore, Osaka, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Pattaya, Kyoto, Kota Kinabalu, Jeju, Karon, Dubai, Paris, Patong, Phuket, Abu Dhabi, Chiang Mai, Rome, Milan, and London. 

For domestic travel, top destinations included Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing, and Macau. 

These destinations provide a wide variety of experiences, ranging from breathtaking natural landscapes to vibrant cultural heritage, world-class events, gourmet dining, and exceptional shopping.