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Just yesterday, I wrote about how Covid19 has created a new normal. Currently, we’re seeing no immediate signs of resumption as global travel remains stranded. However, the way forward could well be at a much smaller domestic level, followed by a regional opening up of travel. The latest reports depicting tourism numbers out of China show some early signs of recovery. Chinese tour operators report that a total of 115 million trips were made over May Day recently.
China Tourism Numbers
Reuters details the numbers that are coming out of China as it sees a slow uptick in domestic travel.
The total of 115 million trips over the holiday was down 41% from the 195 million over the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. But the figure beat expectations of about 90 million trips and was a hopeful sign, travel operators and authorities said.
The tourism ministry said travel operators earned total revenue of 47.56 billion yuan ($6.74 billion) over the holiday. It did not give a figure for last year. Tourists traveling by car accounted for more than 60% of the travel during the holiday, the ministry said. Trip.com said bookings for its car rentals were 10% up on the same period last year.
The Pundit’s Mantra
While the numbers show a promising trend, they also show the near term future of travel. Tourists overwhelmingly preferred to travel by car. Also, tourists born in or after 1990 accounted for 60% of the travel population.
As more countries gradually relax restrictions, we could well see an uptick in modes of transportation other than air, especially by road.
What do you think about this trend? Will you be more comfortable making road trips instead of taking flights once restrictions are lifted? Tell us in the comments section.
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