Family trips dominate Spring Festival travel; cozy vacation apartments are in high demand

    With less than a month to go before Spring Festival, bookings for vacation accommodations have started heating up. According to reports, in Sanya—the hottest domestic destination—some accommodations have already reached 80% occupancy. Current booking trends show that individual travelers, mainly families, outnumber group tours. Compared to traditional hotels, vacation apartments that offer a homely feel and better value for money are more favored during the Spring Festival. Backed by the strong demand of the holiday season, vacation apartment bookings are expected to continue rising.

    As the Lunar New Year approaches, many people have already started preparing for the festivities. Nowadays, watching the Spring Festival Gala and staying up late are no longer the only ways to celebrate. With improved living standards, the ways of celebrating the New Year have become more diverse. Traveling during Spring Festival has gradually emerged as one of the most popular ways to celebrate. As the most important traditional festival for Chinese people, Spring Festival is also a great opportunity for families to reunite and relax after a busy year. Reportedly, under the influence of the “frugality campaign,” the number of conference groups has decreased this year, while self-guided travel has significantly increased. Trips by small families or multi-generational groups have become more common.

    Meanwhile, it’s been reported that outbound travel during this Spring Festival is exceptionally popular, with island destinations being the main focus. The most inquired-about domestic destinations are southern, warmer provinces and cities, such as Lijiang in Yunnan and Haikou, Sanya, and Bo’ao in Hainan. Coastal cities like Qingdao, Weihai, and Yantai have become the hottest travel spots in the north.

    Spring Festival is the most important traditional festival for Chinese people. Although the ways of celebrating it have evolved and become more diverse, the traditional value of family reunion remains deeply rooted. Ms. Wang from Beijing told reporters, “I work in retail and look forward to Spring Festival as the only time I can truly relax all year.” “My in-laws live in Beijing, and my parents are in my hometown in Hunan. In previous years, we always debated where to spend the holiday. This year, we’re all flying to Sanya together. Through a friend’s recommendation, we booked a vacation apartment with a kitchen and washing machine. We’re planning to make dumplings in Sanya to celebrate the New Year,” Ms. Wang said cheerfully. “No matter where we celebrate, what matters most is that the family can be together. Although my parents are more conservative, they fully support this way of celebrating.”

    Interviews revealed that 80% of people would like to spend Spring Festival on vacation, but many give up due to issues like airfare and accommodation, or because hotels lack the feeling of home and diminish the festive atmosphere. The emergence of vacation apartments, represented by Tujia, offers an alternative to hotels and allows people to enjoy a festive atmosphere even while away from home. These new-style vacation apartments not only come in a wide variety of layouts, but also provide washing machines and kitchens, creating a strong sense of home. Many are standalone units, offering more space and privacy compared to hotels. Additionally, vacation apartments offer better value for money compared to traditional hotels. For example, during Spring Festival in Sanya, a two-bedroom, two-bathroom Chinese-style sea-view apartment in Sanya Bay with an area of 117㎡ is priced at 580 yuan per night, while a king-size room at Junlan Resort Hotel in Sanya Bay is priced at 5,999 yuan per night. In terms of cost-performance, Tujia vacation apartments have a clear advantage. With the sustained increase in family travel demand during Spring Festival, new-style vacation apartments are bound to remain popular.

    As vacation apartments become more widely known, choosing them for Spring Festival travel has become a hot topic. With over half a month left until Spring Festival, whether traveling abroad or domestically, it’s now the final critical period for booking flights and accommodations. As the holiday nears, staff from Tujia.com remind everyone to prepare early and have shared several tips for booking vacation apartments for your reference.

1. Book early, the earlier the better.

As the Lunar New Year approaches, vacation apartment bookings have become a popular choice for holiday accommodations. In hot travel destinations like Sanya, Haikou, and Lijiang, accommodations often sell out quickly. Booking earlier means more options and greater assurance of securing a room.

2. Arrive early and check in promptly

During peak seasons, most hotels or vacation apartments host a large number of guests. To avoid losses from no-shows, properties often overbook rooms. Arriving late may result in not being able to check in immediately or having your reservation canceled. Therefore, arrive early and check in promptly to avoid disrupting your Spring Festival plans.

3. Compare options and book through a trusted platform

Spring Festival is the most important traditional festival for Chinese people, and the quality of your accommodation directly impacts the enjoyment of your holiday. When booking, compare different options and choose a trusted platform. Tujia.com is committed to providing a mid-to-high-end vacation apartment booking platform, with a 10 million yuan guarantee fund and a pay-first compensation policy, ensuring peace of mind for all customers.

4. Ask about detailed services before booking

Unlike standardized hotel rooms, vacation apartments come in a wide variety of layouts, each unique, so the amenities and living facilities also vary. Before your trip, it’s best to inquire in detail. If you have special needs, inform customer service in advance so they can prepare accordingly.