China’s Latest Cultural Tourism Trends: How Travelers Are Exploring Differently

Xiaohongshu (RedNote) has transformed from a social media platform into a powerful search engine in China! In 2024, an impressive 73% of its Monthly Active Users sought inspiration on the platform, with an astonishing 90% actively engaging in searches.

As the fashion industry continues to navigate the complexities of a post-pandemic landscape, the outlook for 2025 reveals a compelling opportunity for growth. While sluggish growth remains a challenge, there’s a significant silver lining: the Silver-haired Generation, consumers aged 50 and above, is projected to drive nearly 48% of global consumption growth by 2025!

CNY promotions are essential for brands, but have you considered the power of a Post-CNY Back-to-Work campaign? As Chinese professionals will return from the 8-day 2025 Chinese New Year holiday in early February, MaiMai introduces a dynamic 2-week back-to-work campaign. This initiative serves as an exceptional marketing tool for brands eager to engage with this vibrant audience!

As we gear up for Chinese New Year (CNY) 2025, the stage is set for record-breaking Chinese outbound travel and consumer spending, driven by evolving consumer behaviors and preferences. According to Qunar, international travel during the 2024 CNY saw a remarkable 13.5 million outbound trips, surpassing pre-pandemic levels and setting the pace for new highs this year. Dive into the insights from Fliggy and Qunar below, showcasing promising trends that businesses can tap into to connect with Chinese travelers and maximize opportunities during this peak travel season.

Understanding the Chinese festive calendar isn't just important—it's a game changer for your annual marketing strategy. Each festival presents a unique opportunity to build authentic connections with diverse audience segments, including families celebrating traditional events like Chinese New Year, young couples exchanging gifts during occasions like 520 Day and Qixi Festival, and online shoppers during major e-commerce events such as 618 and Singles' Day.

Despite international flights from mainland China recovering to 87% of pre-pandemic levels, luxury spending abroad has already surpassed those benchmarks, showing an impressive 32% year-on-year increase as of mid-2024.

WeChat Mini Store (微信小店) introduces an exciting new “Gift Giving” feature, designed to streamline the gifting experience like never before. Currently in pilot testing, this feature supports items priced under RMB 10,000 making the process effortless for both senders and recipients.

Are you ready to explore the travel trends of the silver-hair generation—an affluent and expanding segment in China? Ctrip's latest insights reveal that seniors aged 50 and over are traveling more than ever! During the Double Ninth Festival, bookings surged by nearly 20%. From January to September, orders rose by 26%, with the 61-65 age group showing an impressive growth of 58%.

As the year draws to a close, searches related to celebrating Christmas and New Year's Eve (雙旦) on Xiaohongshu (XHS) have surged, indicating a growing enthusiasm for holiday travel. Hong Kong stands out as a premier destination for Chinese travelers, offering a captivating blend of tradition and modernity. Below are what the Chinese travelers are looking for and how brands can engage.