By love-89.com As the autumn weather turns crisp and inviting, travel enthusiasts are taking advantage of the season to explore new destinations. After the National Day holiday, online travel booking platforms have reported significant drops in airfare, with some routes falling to approximately 10% of their usual prices. In fact, many flight tickets on various travel routes are now even cheaper than high-speed train tickets.
Recent data shows that from October 14 to 24, the average ticket price for domestic flights decreased by over 40% compared to the National Day travel period, hitting a yearly low and even dipping below the regular low-season rates seen earlier this year.
For instance, flights from Beijing to Quanzhou, Lanzhou, Xining, Xi’an, and Kunming are now priced below 300 yuan, while flights from Guangzhou to Qingdao, Jinan, Sanya, and Nanning share similar pricing. In Shanghai, fares to Jieyang, Zhengzhou, Changsha, Harbin, and Chongqing are available for under 200 yuan. Additionally, tickets departing from new first-tier cities such as Chengdu, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Wuhan, and Changsha can also be found for under 300 yuan, making them cheaper than traveling by high-speed train.
International airfare has seen a moderate decline as well, particularly for flights to Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, and Singapore, where discounts are substantial. Alongside the reduced airfares, the domestic fuel surcharge for these routes has also been lowered starting from October 5, further decreasing travel costs for passengers.
Hotel prices in major cities have also decreased by over 20% after the long holiday, with significant markdowns on accommodations like inns and resorts in popular tourist cities, enhancing the overall value for travelers.
With such a dramatic drop in prices for flights and hotels, the concept of off-peak travel enters a prime “window period.” This shift has attracted middle-aged and senior travelers, who have more flexible schedules and are now embracing the advantages of traveling during quieter times.
As autumn unfolds across the country, the airports are witnessing bustling crowds, with a noticeable number of senior travelers choosing to travel out of peak season. Booking data shows that post-National Day, seniors aged 55 and above account for about 64% of weekday travelers, a figure significantly higher than that of younger age groups. The demand for flights among this demographic has surged, with senior travel groups seeing a marked increase in bookings.
According to recent statistics from online travel platforms, travelers aged 55 to 65 are becoming the leading force in tourism, showcasing longer trips and further distances, coupled with a growing spending capability. Most senior travelers hail from first-tier cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, as well as new first-tier cities such as Chengdu, Hangzhou, Chongqing, Xi’an, Nanjing, and Tianjin, collectively representing over half the travel market.
In contrast to prior years where budget group tours were preferred, more senior travelers are opting for independent travel and customized small group tours in 2024. Destinations like Aba, Ganzi, Leshan, and Mianyang in Sichuan province have seen a notable rise in hotel bookings, particularly since the high-speed train service to Jiuzhaigou became available, making travel more accessible for elderly tourists.
As off-peak hotel rates are lower, senior travelers have increased their bookings for luxury accommodations by over 60% year-over-year, indicating a positive shift towards enhanced travel experiences.
Additionally, on October 18, the Tibet Autonomous Region’s Department of Culture and Tourism announced the launch of the 2024 “Winter in Tibet” campaign, which will continue through March 15, 2025. This initiative features a range of promotions designed to boost tourism.
During this campaign, the region will offer a lottery for 10,000 domestic flights to Tibet with a “buy one get one free” ticket incentive. Additionally, another 10,000 free train tickets for domestic travel to Tibet will be available, along with complimentary entrance tickets to premium attractions and vouchers for quality hotel stays. New offerings for “family tours,” “friends’ travel,” and “senior travel” consumption vouchers will also be introduced.
Moreover, many A-level tourist attractions in Tibet will be free to visit, while hotels rated three stars and above will offer off-peak seasonal pricing. Transportation providers will maintain fares no higher than 50% of peak season prices.
Since its inception in 2018, the “Winter in Tibet” subsidy program has aimed to enhance tourism by creating unique experience routes, upgrading winter tourism products, and providing discounts on travel, accommodations, and transport, thus promoting the “Winter in Tibet” brand while ensuring that tourism remains vibrant even during off-peak seasons.