"Japan Substitution Effect" Emerges: South Korea, Southeast Asia, and Europe Become Popular Outbound Travel Alternatives

　　 Recently, a "Japan substitution" trend has emerged in year-end outbound travel among Chinese tourists, with South Korea, Southeast Asia, and Europe becoming popular alternatives. Data from relevant travel platforms shows that in the last two weeks of November, hotel booking popularity for South Korea increased by over 240% year-on-year, while destinations in Southeast Asia such as Vietnam and Indonesia also saw hotel booking popularity grow by over 100% year-on-year. European destinations like Germany and Spain experienced a year-on-year increase of over 300% in hotel booking popularity, and Nordic destinations like Denmark and Switzerland also saw a year-on-year rise of over 200%.

　　 Since late November, hotel and flight bookings for popular outbound destinations during the Christmas and New Year holidays have accelerated. Data from Tongcheng Travel shows that as of December 1, hotel booking popularity for South Korea increased by over 240% year-on-year, with popular destinations concentrated in Seoul, Jeju, and Busan. Vietnam saw a year-on-year increase of over 110% in hotel booking popularity, with popular destinations including Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang. Indonesia recorded a year-on-year increase of over 130% in hotel booking popularity, primarily in the Greater Jakarta metropolitan area. Driven by inbound tourism and overseas workers returning home for family visits, flight bookings from Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Singapore to regions like Northeast China, Sichuan-Chongqing, Guangxi, and Guangdong for the New Year and Spring Festival holidays have also seen significant growth.

　　 As outbound ice and snow tourism enters its peak season, destinations such as Kazakhstan, Germany, Switzerland, and Denmark have experienced a rapid surge in travel popularity recently.

　　 Data shows that as of December 1, flight bookings from major Chinese cities to Kazakhstan from early December to around the New Year holiday period increased by over 50% year-on-year, while hotel booking popularity rose by over 80% year-on-year, with Almaty and Astana being the most popular destinations. European destinations with internationally renowned ski resorts, such as Germany, Switzerland, and Denmark, also saw significant increases in hotel and flight booking popularity. Hotel booking popularity for European destinations like Germany and Spain increased by over 300% year-on-year, while renowned Nordic ski destinations like Denmark and Switzerland experienced a year-on-year rise of over 200% in hotel booking popularity. To meet the demand, travel platforms have expanded their offerings of European travel itineraries, covering categories such as ski vacations and cultural sightseeing.