Chinese Golden Week Travel Surge Boosts Asian Destinations
Over half of Chinese outbound flight reservations for the extended holiday are for departures before 1 October, according to a Trip.com report released on 21 September.
Chinese Travellers Depart Early for Golden Week
Chinese travellers are commencing their extended Golden Week holiday period earlier than the official start, with more than half of outbound flight reservations made for departures before 1 October. This data comes from a Trip.com report released on 21 September.
The upcoming National Day holiday, from 1 to 7 October, combined with the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, from 25 to 27 September, creates a 10-day break. Many workers are extending this to 13 days by taking additional leave. This year's holiday is longer than the eight-day break observed last year.
Asian Destinations Prepare for Influx
Asian destinations are actively preparing for the anticipated influx of Chinese tourists. Thailand launched its "Nihao Month 2026" campaign on 14 September, aiming to deepen engagement with the Chinese market. South Korea is hosting "Seoul Welcome Week: Autumn Edition" through 11 October to greet international visitors, including those from China.
Tourism businesses in the Maldives and Bali have also initiated targeted campaigns for the Golden Week period. Beyond traditional East and Southeast Asian favourites, long-haul destinations like Australia and New Zealand are also gaining popularity, according to the Trip.com report.
Top Destinations and Regional Significance
Seoul ranks as the top holiday destination for this Golden Week based on flight bookings, followed by Tokyo and Bangkok, as stated in the Trip.com report. Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO of the Pacific Asia Travel Association, noted that the extended Golden Week is particularly significant for Asian destinations.
He explained that the longer travel period creates greater opportunities for short-haul and multi-destination travel within the region. An Yong-ju, a former professor of global leisure and tourism at South Korea's Sun Moon University, attributed rising tourism demand to improved bilateral relations.
Economic Impact on Asian Tourism
The potential surge in outbound tourism during this ultra-long holiday holds particular importance for Asian destinations this year. Gary Bowerman, managing director of Asia Travel Re: Set, told China Daily that the tourism industry has faced difficulties due to the Middle East conflict and rising oil prices.
This makes the Golden Week influx a critical factor for recovery and growth across the region. Operators in Asia will be closely monitoring arrival numbers and spending patterns throughout October to gauge the full economic benefit.
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