Large Cruise Ships: Continuing to Arrive
In 2012, Royal Caribbean’s “Oasis of the Seas,” one of the world’s top ten cruise ships and known as “Asia’s largest luxury cruise ship,” launched its homeport routes in China. The arrival of more large ships reflects the rapid increase in the number of Chinese people taking cruise vacations. Zhang Mingwei, manager of the cruise department at UTour, explained that the reason cruise travel has become increasingly popular is that this method of travel can cater to nearly all age groups, professions, and consumer levels. This has led to the growing accessibility of cruise vacations year after year. Zhang added that in 2013, new large-tonnage cruise ships will enter China’s cruise market. In addition to Royal Caribbean’s 140,000-ton “Oasis of the Seas” and Costa Cruises’ 100,000-ton “Costa Atlantica,” there will also be Star Cruises’ 76,800-ton “SuperStar Virgo.”
In addition to the trend of larger tonnage cruise ships, cruise itineraries have also become more varied. Short-haul cruise products have gained significant popularity in recent years, while travelers are also showing increasing interest in long-haul cruise options. As a result, UTour plans to launch its Mediterranean long-haul cruise product line in April–May 2013.
High-Speed Rail Travel: “Segmented Activity, Full Connectivity”
The tourism impact brought by the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Rail is still gradually unfolding, and the opening of the Beijing-Guangzhou High-Speed Rail has added new choices for domestic high-speed rail travel. Regarding the impact of the Beijing-Guangzhou High-Speed Rail on tourism, Wei Xiao’an, a renowned expert in tourism economics and management, described it as “segmented activity, full connectivity.” Especially around transit cities such as Zhengzhou, Wuhan, and Changsha, combination tours centered on these hubs are expected to become a key focus for travel agencies designing tour products. Some tourist attractions that were previously only moderately popular will be invigorated by the Beijing-Guangzhou High-Speed Rail. Currently, high-speed rail travel products offered by travel agencies are still in the trial phase, but by next spring, the range of high-speed rail routes will gradually expand. At the same time, it is clear that the opening of the Beijing-Guangzhou High-Speed Rail has had a significant impact on medium- and short-haul flights, as its convenience, punctuality, and weather independence will lead more people to choose high-speed rail as their mode of transport.
Second-Generation Outdoor Enthusiasts: Starting Outdoor Life from Childhood
As the name suggests, second-generation outdoor enthusiasts refer to the children of those who love outdoor sports and lifestyles. At the Beijing ISPO exhibition earlier in 2012, some outdoor clothing and equipment suitable for children began to appear. As a new force among outdoor enthusiasts, the children’s outdoor market is receiving increasing attention. Xing Yingbuli, head of a training camp, said that the current target age group is 6–12-year-old children, with the core values of honor, teamwork, and responsibility. The goal is to help children develop more well-rounded personalities, experience life more fully, and have more opportunities to connect with nature through outdoor activities. Children can also achieve goals through tasks, which helps enhance their sense of responsibility and emphasizes the power of teamwork. However, many parents don’t attach too much significance to these activities—they just want their kids to make a few more friends. Since its establishment in early 2011, the camp has seen 300–400 children participate in various activities, including camping, barbecues, horseback riding, stargazing, and wild herb picking. “In recent years, various brands have started launching family-oriented gear, including a significant increase in children’s skiing and mountaineering equipment. Ski resorts and some tourist attractions have also created dedicated children’s activity areas, with all parties working together to grow this market.”
RVs: Most Campsites Lack Comprehensive Services
RV, short for “Recreational Vehicle.” Wang Xudong, a senior editor at 21st Century RV Network, explained that more people are getting familiar with RV travel this year. Although the number of people actually buying RVs has increased compared to last year, the overall number remains small. Those who don’t buy often cite concerns about finding parking space or being too busy to travel in an RV. In terms of supporting infrastructure, although many sites are called RV camps, the services provided are often not comprehensive, and the industry lacks unified standards.
Overall, the market is getting hotter. Currently, RVs priced around 200,000–300,000 RMB sell best, and brand options are increasing. Major companies like Yutong and JAC have started producing RVs, and the number of exhibitors at this year’s RV show has also grown significantly.
Premium Customization: Professional Agencies Emerge
Taking your child to the Seychelles during the sea turtle egg-laying season, staying in a private lodge facing Mount McKinley in Alaska’s Denali National Park, booking a dinner in California’s Napa Valley, attending a lecture by a Buddhist master in India… With the segmentation of the tourism market and traveler demographics, customized travel has emerged. From last year to this year, a number of clubs and companies offering theme-based customized travel for mid- to high-end consumers have been established. Traditional travel agencies have also begun to get involved in customized travel services. Currently, the main consumer group for customized travel consists of individuals with a certain income level, high expectations for travel experiences, willingness to pay for services, and a demand for professional expertise. The main product form in the market today is theme-based travel customization—designing and implementing specific itineraries based on the travel objectives of consumers, such as shopping, gourmet food, wine tasting, photography, or even beauty treatments, medical care, or religious trips.
Private Groups: Exclusive Vehicle + Dedicated Guide
Earlier this year, Ctrip announced the nationwide launch of over a hundred new “private group” travel products, covering destinations such as Singapore, Bali, Cambodia, Lijiang, Xi'an, Guilin, Sichuan, and Tibet. Travelers can enjoy exclusive services including a dedicated guide, driver, and bus throughout the trip. “Private groups” have three main features: first, they are exclusively for close friends, family, or partners, with no strangers in the group; second, they include an exclusive vehicle and dedicated guide; third, the itinerary can be adjusted at any time, and a minimum of two people is required to form a group. Additionally, “private groups” break through the limitations of large-group travel in terms of attractions, accommodation, and dining, offering the option of unique hotels and customizable ground packages. Chen Jin, product manager for Bali at Ctrip, explained that the secret to designing “private group” products lies in uncovering the natural, cultural, religious, and culinary characteristics of the destination, researching travelers’ preferences, and tailoring products accordingly. For example, the Bali private group product highlights romantic elements in both accommodations and leisure activities, given that many travelers to Bali are honeymoon couples. Hotels with chapels are arranged for couples wishing to hold weddings on the island, along with offerings such as red wine, cake, petal baths, and couples’ massages.
Low-Cost Airlines: Introducing New Travel Options
As a low-cost airline under Australian flag carrier Qantas, Jetstar has expanded its route coverage to seven cities in China: Beijing, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Haikou, Shantou, Nanning, and Ningbo. By bundling with vacation packages on websites like Ctrip (such as Singapore + Bintan Island) and through recommendations and sales by travel agencies, an increasing number of people can now experience affordable international flights with service quality almost on par with traditional airlines.
Choosing a low-cost airline is more about opting for a different way to travel—one that doesn’t require many onboard services but prioritizes convenience and affordability. As the only low-cost airline in China, Spring Airlines has maintained an average seat occupancy rate of 95% since its founding in 2005. Zhang Wu’an, spokesperson for Spring Airlines, explained that currently, Spring Airlines does not overlap with other international low-cost carriers in terms of market presence. While domestic development of low-cost aviation is still a priority, challenges such as the lack of secondary and tertiary airports and the approval process for aircraft procurement continue to constrain growth. However, consumers—especially young white-collar workers, self-funded travelers, and price-sensitive individuals—are very receptive to low-cost airlines. International expansion is also a key strategic focus for Spring Airlines in the future.
This post has been synchronized to Beijing Zhu Pi's Weibo.