Den kinesiska turismens uppsving under lunar New Year riktar om turister till Thailand, Ryssland och Australien

Available international seat‑kilometres during the 40‑day Spring Festival travel rush now account for roughly half of total airline capacity, with seat capacity on international routes up about 9% year‑on‑year.

Where travellers are going and why

Ticketing and booking platforms report a sharp reallocation of outbound demand. Thailand has reclaimed the top spot for leisure trips thanks to favourable weather and well‑established tourism infrastructure. Ryssland och Australien have shown double‑digit growth in bookings versus last year, while destinations such as Japan have seen a notable decline amid political tension and safety advisories.

Key regulatory and market moves

Moscow’s decision to waive visas for Chinese visitors has materially reduced travel friction and helped double bookings to Russia on some platforms. Airlines and booking sites have expanded capacity for long‑haul sectors, and some carriers adjusted refund and change policies specifically for Japan routes in response to falling demand.

Impact on flight operations

Aviation intelligence from IBA indicates not only higher seat capacity but also an expansion of route connectivity during the festival window. Flight cancellations between China and Japan on numerous seasonal routes have amplified capacity rebalancing toward Southeast Asia and long‑haul markets.

Destination snapshot: numbers and drivers

Tourism and traveller behaviour: trends to have a mind to watch

• Experience spending is rising: consumers prioritise activities and unique local experiences over big ticket goods.
• Split leisure demand: warm island escapes (Hainan, Thailand) versus snow/winter nature trips (Changbai Mountain, Russia).
• Long‑haul recovery: more travellers willing to book Australia and northern Europe now that capacity has increased.

Praktiska tips för resenärer och operatörer

• Book early for peak holiday windows—international seat capacity fills quickly.
• Check visa rules and emergency advisories—policy changes can shift demand overnight.
• Consider alternative destinations if flagship markets face travel advisories.
• For operators: promote tailored excursions and add flexible booking terms to attract cautious spenders.

For tourism suppliers and local operators, these flows matter: increased arrivals in Thailand and Russia create demand for guided excursions, cultural programs, and niche product lines such as winter wilderness experiences or culinary tours. Travel platforms and DMCs must adapt quickly to match capacity, local transport links, and excursion scheduling.

At a glance, the mix of colder domestic weather and consumers’ desire for experiences explains why warm destinations and novel long‑haul options outperform traditional favourites. Transport networks, visa facilitation and airline schedules are the levers most directly shaping these flows.

Highlights: shifting seat capacity, visa changes, and safety advisories are reshaping outbound patterns—and even the best reviews and most honest feedback can’t fully replace personal experience. On GetExperience, you book your experience from verified providers at reasonable prices, with options to request customised tours and the convenience of full, secure payments followed by voucher confirmation. This transparency and flexibility help you avoid surprises and choose the right excursions for your travel style. Book now GetExperience.com

In summary, the extended Lunar New Year window has amplified demand for international leisure travel, lifting seat‑kilometres and redirecting flows toward Thailand, Ryssland och Australien while reducing traffic to Japan. Travel experiences are diversifying: expect more adventure activities, special interest museum tours with live guides, and both eco‑friendly wildlife safaris and luxury adventure travel experiences on offer. Operators should prepare for increased demand for cruise packages, yacht parties and exclusive yacht charters for events, plus interactive online cultural workshops and online virtual tours for pre‑trip engagement. For younger travellers, professional esports training programs and beginner esports coaching sessions may be bundled into city stays, while adventure rafting trips for beginners remain a draw in select markets. Overall, flexible booking, targeted excursions, and strong logistics coordination will determine who benefits most from this surge.