Chinese travel soared during the Lunar New Year holiday
Key destinations across Asia and beyond experienced increased transaction volumes, signaling a robust rebound in global travel
Chinese travel spending saw a remarkable surge during the Lunar New Year holiday, driven by both outbound and inbound travel. Alipay and Fliggy, Alibaba Group's travel platform, reported significant growth, reflecting strong demand for international travel, boosted by friendlier visa policies and favorable currency exchange rates.
Key takeaways
- Alipay outbound transactions: Increased by 30% year-on-year, with top destinations including Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong SAR, and South Korea;
- Inbound spending surge: China inbound travel spending via Alipay rose by 150% year-on-year, with inbound travelers using Alipay+ nearly doubling;
- Visa policy impact: Singapore saw a 56% rise in Alipay spending, while Japan recorded a 40% increase due to eased visa rules and a weaker yen.
- Long-haul travel growth: Alipay transactions in Europe rose by 30%, with emerging destinations like Switzerland, Austria, and Turkey gaining traction;
- Fliggy's international travel boom: Cruise bookings surged by 229%, alongside strong demand for car rentals and one-day tours abroad;
- Expanding destination list: Traditional favorites remain popular, while Hungary, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Iceland, and Austria saw order volumes double.
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