CHINA: Chinese Hotel Market Growing Rapidly

Inbound hotel room bookings to China have increased by 106 percent over the last year and Chinese continue to be among the biggest travelers in the world, as outbound hotel bookings from the market grew by 70 percent year-over-year in the first 17 weeks of 2017.

These are the data from Tourico Holidays; the world’s fastest growing wholesale travel brokerage company. Tourico’s data also shows that The Republic of Korea (+68% YOY in bookings), the United States (+10% YOY) and the United Kingdom (+40% YOY) continue to be among the strongest source markets to China, while emerging markets such as India (+160% YOY), the UAE (+212% YOY), and Brazil (+90% YOY) are helping diversify the demand.

“Regional political turmoil, such as the nuclear crisis in the Korean Peninsula, make the inbound China market more unpredictable this year - as Korea was the number one inbound source country for China last year but, so far, Chinese travel business remains very strong,” said Hillary Wang, the Regional Director of Product Development in North Asia for Tourico Holidays.

In fact, Tourico is predicting it will double its overall Chinese business in 2017, as both the larger markets and emerging markets continue to demand product in China.

Tourico currently has four local offices in the region, including in Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong - stationing over 55 employees to locally support Chinese supplier partners and distribution clients.

In the past year, the Tourico team in China has worked to add a number of new clients, including Alitrip, Tongcheng International, Mioji Travel, eLong, Tuniu, Mogutrip, Mafengwo, Lushu Technology, CNBooking, and Caissa.

Our local Chinese supplier partners and distribution clients are both experiencing a strong demand in 2017 and we’ve ensured that a dedicated support team is in place to help them push their businesses to the next level, said Wang.

Tourico Holidays will be exhibiting its comprehensive lineup of travel offerings, including hotels, cruises, activities and transfers, car rentals, and vacation homes at ITB China from May 10 to the 12.

To speak with a Tourico Holidays representative at ITB China, please visit Booth 531 located in Hall 2.

JAPAN: Holidays To Kyushu, Japan Suspended After Earthquake

Organized trips to Kyushu were canceled by travel agencies, following the recent powerful earthquake

The 6.2 magnitude earthquake that occurred in Japan on April 14 has already affected tour operators providing trips in the region.

Full refund or alternatives were offered to the travelers planning to visit the southwestern island of Japan. Also, a travel warning was issued, advising holiday-makers to avoid visiting Kyushu.

For safety reasons, travel operator Ctrip has suspended trips to Kyushu and Kumamoto and has changed routes and schedules for the organized tours in the area.

Tuniu, an on-line travel agency, warned tourists visiting the island be cautious and also applies the free cancellation policy for Kumamoto until April 22, due to the high number of bookings for this destination.

Tongcheng is another agency that made routes adjustments to avoid potential hazards when visiting Japan.

Moreover, airlines have announced full refunds or free change of travel dates for air tickets until April 30. China Southern Airlines and Air China will apply this policy for all routes between China and Fukuoka.