Chinese Outbound Travel Surges 10% During 2026 Spring Festival
EternityX reports nearly 17.8 million outbound trips during China's 2026 Spring Festival, a 10% year-on-year increase. This suggests robust demand and forecasts strong performance for the upcoming Labour Day holiday.
Outbound travel from China saw a significant increase during the 2026 Spring Festival, with nearly 17.8 million cross-border trips recorded, according to research by EternityX. This figure represents a 10% year-on-year rise, indicating a continued recovery and growth in demand for international travel.
The data suggests a shift in consumer behavior, with travelers increasingly prioritizing higher-value and experience-rich itineraries. A more than 20% year-on-year growth in WeChat Pay travel transactions supports this trend, pointing towards a growing "premium appetite" among Chinese tourists.
This performance during the Chinese New Year (CNY) period is seen as a key indicator for future travel peaks. EternityX forecasts strong outbound travel volumes for the upcoming Labour Day holiday, with an anticipated rise in multi-generational trips.
EternityX aims to provide global brands and travel industry stakeholders with actionable insights into the evolving dynamics of Chinese outbound travel. The company's analysis seeks to guide strategic campaign activation for brands looking to engage high-intent travelers during key travel windows throughout the year.