Trip.com reports strong booking interest in Asia

As the global tourism sector nears complete recovery, Trip.com Group, a major Chinese online travel operator, forecasts an increase in interest in making reservations in Asia.

Bookings for outbound travel from China for the forthcoming Chinese New Year holidays have increased by nearly ten times as of mid-January compared to the same period last year, according to Trip.com Group.

Japan, Thailand, and South Korea are China’s most popular travel destinations at present moment.

According to Trip.com Group research, Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia—all of which have flexible visa requirements or visa-free policies—will be among the most popular travel destinations for Chinese tourists during the forthcoming Chinese New Year.

Chinese people may now go to Thailand without a visa; this arrangement was made permanent in September of last year. In December, Malaysia and Singapore similarly eliminated the need for visas for visitors from China.

Both incoming and outgoing search and booking volumes from Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands have increased significantly, according to Trip.com.

The CEO of Trip.com Group, Jane Sun, voiced confidence during a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos about the expansion of the tourist industry. She listed some encouraging changes, such as increased airline capacity and better visa-free travel regulations that facilitate international travel to and from China. Sun also said that growing consumer spending is fueling regional trends like the need for first-rate health experiences and event tourism, especially for well-known events like concerts and music festivals.

Sun maintained his optimistic outlook for the Asian economy, projecting that it would account for almost half of the increase in the global GDP. With the strong purchasing power of Asian consumers and the rapidly expanding tourist sector in Asia, the area may see long-term development.

Original story by: Asia Gaming Brief