As 2023 draws to a close, Trip.com Group, a prominent player in the online travel industry, reflects on the evolving landscape of travel over the past year and offers insights into the trends that will shape the travel scene in 2024.
The global travel surge triggered by the reopening of China’s borders has been a significant development. A wave of Chinese travelers, showing reduced interest in international travel, has significantly boosted domestic travel following the reopening of China’s borders. Trip.com’s data indicates a substantial increase in inbound travel bookings, with a six-fold rise since 2022. This trend is particularly evident during peak holiday periods like the eight-day Golden Week in October, which experienced an eightfold surge in inbound travel. The momentum continues into the New Year holiday season from December 31, 2023, to January 3, 2024, with a remarkable 240% year-over-year growth in bookings since 2022.
The top destinations for Taiwanese tourists in 2023 include Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia. Looking ahead to 2024, the trend of increased outbound travel is expected to persist. Alongside the rise in outbound travel, China is witnessing a steady recovery in inbound tourism. Visitor numbers in 2023 have seen a four-digit increase compared to the same period in 2022, surpassing 60% of pre-pandemic levels.
Key outbound destinations for Chinese tourists in 2024 are expected to include South Korea, Japan, Singapore, the United States, Australia, Malaysia, Canada, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and Germany. Popular travel destinations within China for these tourists are Shenzhen, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing, Zhuhai, Hangzhou, Foshan, Xiamen, Zhongshi, and Chengdu. Notably, seven out of ten resort bookings by international visitors are for Shenzhen.
Trip.com has introduced the “China Travel Guide,” a comprehensive resource offering travel-related information to inbound visitors, with approximately 100,000 foreign visitors utilizing the guide since its launch in September. Collaborations with e-payment service providers like Alipay aim to facilitate payment solutions for foreign tourists in China.
Looking into 2024, the integration of AI technology is set to revolutionize the travel industry. TripGenie, an advanced AI travel assistant within the Trip.com app, is at the forefront of this transformation. Utilizing cutting-edge language models, TripGenie acts as a personalized travel companion, offering tailored itineraries, quick bookings, and instant responses to traveler queries. The tool has seen increased interest in travel guide content, flight and hotel bookings, itineraries, and attractions.
In addition to TripGenie, Trip.com has introduced AI-powered personalized features like “Trip. Trip.” for tailored travel recommendations, “Deals” for the best travel offers, and “Trends” for popular travel topics and events. These features leverage real-time data to enhance the user experience and offer a glimpse into the future of travel planning in 2024.
The travel landscape in 2024 will be characterized by a focus on event tourism and sustainable travel practices. Theme parks are set to experience a significant surge, with a 65% increase in orders compared to 2019 levels in 2023. Additionally, music events and live entertainment continue to attract global audiences, with concerts featuring foreign artists remaining highly sought-after international events.
Green travel initiatives and event tourism are emerging trends that reflect a shift towards responsible travel choices and experiences. The rise of low-carbon travel options and the promotion of eco-friendly accommodations signal a growing interest in sustainable travel practices. Event tourism, encompassing music festivals, and sporting events, is expected to gain traction in 2024, with the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris driving interest in travel packages combining tickets and accommodation.
Trip.com Group, comprising Ctrip, Skyscanner, and Qunar, remains at the forefront of the travel industry, offering comprehensive travel services through innovative platforms. With a commitment to providing the best travel experiences for a better world, Trip.com Group continues to lead travelers towards exploration, innovation, and sustainability in the evolving travel landscape.
For more information about Trip.com Group, visit trip.com.
