By MOOK Travel Life Network Chen Guanxin, compiled and reported
With the winter vacation and Chinese New Year travel peak arriving, prices for travel packages across all routes have risen due to concentrated outbound demand and limited flight availability. In response, the Republic of China Travel Quality Assurance Association has published reference prices for tour groups from January to March 102 (2013). Compared to last year, prices for tours to mainland China, North America & Canada, Europe, New Zealand & Australia, as well as Vietnam and Cambodia have increased by approximately NT$1,000 to NT$7,000 due to factors such as exchange rates, oil prices, or higher ticket prices compared to the same period last year. Among these, the mainland China region saw the largest price increase of up to NT$10,000, while Southeast Asia routes remained stable in price. Northeast Asia destinations Japan and Korea saw prices drop by about NT$1,000 to NT$5,000.
For those planning to travel abroad for next year’s Chinese New Year, budget-conscious travelers might consider Japan and Korean cities like Busan and Jeju, where prices have fallen. (Image provided by Moleskine Editorial Department)
The 9-day-long Chinese New Year holiday has already led many people to start planning their overseas trips. Taking the United States as an example, where prices have risen by about NT$1,000 to NT$7,000 overall, due to the visa waiver effect, sales of related travel packages during the holiday period have exceeded 50%, with some time slots even surpassing 80%. As for mainland China, which is a key focus during the Chinese New Year, prices have increased by about NT$3,000 to NT$10,000 due to rising oil prices, general inflation, and persistently high direct flight costs. Despite this, travel packages to regions like Beijing, Shanghai, and East China have still sold around 30%, indicating strong demand in the overseas travel market during Chinese New Year, unaffected by the economic downturn.
Among the many travel routes next year, the mainland China route tops the list with a maximum increase of NT$10,000. (Image provided by Moleskine Editorial Department)
For budget-conscious travelers, Northeast Asia destinations such as Japan and Korea are worth considering. In Japan, as well as Busan and Jeju in Korea, prices have dropped by about NT$1,000 to NT$5,000 compared to last year, due to the yen's depreciation reflecting lower costs, and airlines increasing flights to certain destinations. In Korea, Busan and Jeju have also seen prices fall by about NT$2,000 due to increased flight availability. However, Seoul in Korea has seen prices rise by about NT$2,000 compared to the previous year, as airlines adjusted fares to reflect higher costs at certain airports.
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