China's Travel Revival: 2025: Outbound Travel Boom

The data reflect a solid recovery in global tourism, with strong growth in both international hotel bookings by Chinese travelers and the arrival of foreign visitors to China.

International hotel bookings by Chinese travelers increased 103% year-over-year during this period, more than doubling the 2024 figures. The average daily rate (ADR) increased 5% year-over-year, approaching pre-pandemic levels, as travelers increasingly opt for higher-end accommodations. Similarly, the average length of international stay decreased slightly to two days, a 6.4% year-over-year decrease, indicating a preference for more frequent, shorter-haul travel.

According to Dida's extensive high-value B2B distribution network, during this period, tailor-made tour operators generated 43% of bookings, retail travel agencies 34%, and online travel agencies (OTAs) 16%, with the remaining 7% coming from other channels.

The top 10 international destinations booked by Chinese travelers during the Labor Day holiday were, in order of popularity: Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong SAR, Singapore, Italy, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the United Arab Emirates.

Domestic tourism within China also grew by 33% year-on-year, while inbound tourism (international travel arrivals) tripled, increasing by 306%, driven by the introduction of more favorable visa policies and China's growing global appeal as a holiday destination.

Gareth Matthews, Marketing Director at Dida, commented:
"In this new era of travel, Chinese travelers are exploring the world with renewed passion, and the world is flocking to China in record numbers. We are excited to be at the forefront of this tourism revolution. Our portfolio of strategically selected hotel alliances is the cornerstone of our ability to deliver exceptional value."

Source: Dida.