October brings Chinese tourism double-whammy
Starting on September 30, Chinese travelers are taking advantage of the once-a-decade convergence of Chinese National Day and Mid-Autumn Lunar Festival. The result is a holiday that is nearly twice as long as usual.
“One of China’s busiest holiday seasons is coming up at the end of September to the beginning of October. This is one of the longest holiday periods in China, and unlike Chinese New Year, there are no family obligations during this holiday, so most Chinese citizens will be traveling during this period—both in China and increasingly, overseas,” explains China Luxury Network CEO Renee Hartmann.
The Mid-Autumn Lunar Festival, like Chinese New Years, varies each year with the lunar calendar. Chinese National Day, similar to July 4 in the United States, is on October 1 each year.
According to C-Trip, China’s largest online travel company, Chinese travel agencies are reporting strong bookings for the “Super Golden Week.” Prices for travel packages are 20-30% higher than to non-holiday prices. Flights to most American cities from China are booked.
Who stands to benefit from this calendar-induced coincidence the most? According to Catherine Lin, Editor in Chief of Nihao America™, a glossy magazine for wealthy Chinese tourists, the biggest beneficiaries of the overlapping holidays are likely going to be luxury retailers. “Typically early October is slow time for luxury brands, but in 2012, there is likely to be a surge of shopping activity at high-end retailers and department stores,” explained Lin.
“One of China’s busiest holiday seasons is coming up at the end of September to the beginning of October. This is one of the longest holiday periods in China, and unlike Chinese New Year, there are no family obligations during this holiday, so most Chinese citizens will be traveling during this period—both in China and increasingly, overseas,” explains China Luxury Network CEO Renee Hartmann.
The Mid-Autumn Lunar Festival, like Chinese New Years, varies each year with the lunar calendar. Chinese National Day, similar to July 4 in the United States, is on October 1 each year.
According to C-Trip, China’s largest online travel company, Chinese travel agencies are reporting strong bookings for the “Super Golden Week.” Prices for travel packages are 20-30% higher than to non-holiday prices. Flights to most American cities from China are booked.
Who stands to benefit from this calendar-induced coincidence the most? According to Catherine Lin, Editor in Chief of Nihao America™, a glossy magazine for wealthy Chinese tourists, the biggest beneficiaries of the overlapping holidays are likely going to be luxury retailers. “Typically early October is slow time for luxury brands, but in 2012, there is likely to be a surge of shopping activity at high-end retailers and department stores,” explained Lin.