Shanghai, January 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/
Rising disposable income among Chinese consumers means that travel has become a part of life, and Chinese tourists are more interested in experiencing exotic yet familiar festivals with their families in different countries. Mintel’s latest report “Outbound Travel — China 2016” predicts that the capacity of Chinese outbound tourists willbetween 2016 and 2021expand at a compound annual growth rate of 6.4%, reaching 166.7 million by 2021. Notably, nearly half (43%) of Chinese urban consumers are very or quite interested in romantic outbound travel, followed by family-oriented themed travel (42%), with outbound shopping ranking third (38%).
Meanwhile, the Mintel report also shows that 74% of respondents expressed being very or quite interested in in-depth photography, 53% of female respondents said they are very or quite interested in minimally invasive cosmetic procedures/weight loss, and 39% indicated being very or quite interested in religious pilgrimages.
Xu Ruyi, Research Analysis Director at Mintel, said, “The fact that Chinese travelers are interested in a variety of travel themes indicates numerous opportunities to promote and diversify the outbound travel market, which can also help drive the development of emerging vacation products. Service providers can target consumers with demand but who lack the means to arrange such trips, and it also presents opportunities for lesser-known destinations.”
Currently, Chinese urban consumers consider five key factors as more important when traveling abroad: seeing more natural scenery (64%), enjoying food (55%), strengthening relationships with travel companions (49%), having better accommodation (46%), and learning more about culture (45%).
According to Mintel data, high-income families (urban households in tier-one cities with a monthly income of 16,000 RMB or more, or in tier-two/three cities with 14,000 RMB or more) place greater importance on good accommodation (53%), purchasing souvenirs (31%), and learning more about local culture (50%). Meanwhile, 63% of Chinese outbound tourists aged 20–24 consider “strengthening relationships with travel companions” more important than “seeing more natural scenery” (53%).
Regarding this, Xu Ruyi commented, “The growing demands of today’s outbound travelers show that Chinese tourists are seeking more comprehensive travel experiences. Of course, we also look forward to seeing more travel services tailored to different age groupsanddemographics, such as more interactive travel options for young people, or premium travel routes centered around higher-quality accommodation and cultural experiences.”
Of course, besides the familiar modes of transportation like planes and trains, cruise travel is also becoming an increasingly popular choice. The Mintel report indicates that half (50%) of respondents have taken a cruisewhiletraveling abroador cruisingin the past 12 months, and 48% of those who have cruised believe it offers great value for money—17 percentage points higher than those who haven’t (31%). Moreover, nearly six in ten (56%) Chinese urban consumers find cruising abroad very romantic, a figure that rises to 60% among consumers aged 25–29, married individuals, and those with children.
“Cruising is strongly associated with romantic experiences, and families are also starting to consider this travel option more. At the same time, consumers who have experienced outbound cruises and those who haven’t may have different impressions and perceptions of cruise travel. Cruise brands need to strengthen communication with consumers regarding value for money, safety, and other aspects,” Xu Ruyi concluded in her final advice.