2025.05.30
1. Mafengwo: Nearly 40% of Travelers Opted for Mid-to-Long-Haul Trips Over Labor Day; Niche Destinations on the Rise in Outbound Travel
Source: Sina Finance
Today, self-driving has become a mainstream travel choice for both long-distance journeys and local getaways. Over the Labor Day holiday, the "Guizhou Circuit Road Trip" route saw a 233% surge in popularity—making it one of the most sought-after self-drive routes—interest in the Sichuan–Xizang Highway (Route 318) jumped 125%, while coastal drives in Shandong, cross-regional trips through Xinjiang, and the vast Qinghai–Gansu circuit also drew strong interest.
Today’s travelers are no longer satisfied with traditional point-to-point itineraries. Instead, they are embracing road trips that offer scenic views and access to off-the-beaten-path attractions. In Guizhou, for example, beyond landmarks such as Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village, the Seven Small Arches Scenic Area (Xiaoqikong), and Huangguoshu Waterfall, road trips allow deeper exploration into remote villages and beautiful natural landscapes, uncovering hidden gems often missed by standard tours.
2. Tuniu: High-Speed Rail and Local Travel Bookings Spike as Labor Day Tickets Open
Source: tuniu.com (Tuniu Corporation)
According to Tuniu’s 2025 May Day Travel Trend Outlook, travel bookings for the Labor Day holiday surged by over 220% this week compared to last. Strong growth was seen across major travel product categories, including train tickets, attraction passes, hotels, and flights.
Hotel reservations rose by more than 120% week-on-week, while flight bookings climbed over 80%. Among bundled travel products, one-day group tours recorded the highest growth, with bookings tripling from the previous week. Destination-based group tours and self-driving tour packages also maintained strong momentum, with bookings up by more than 120% and 80%, respectively.
3. Airbnb Diversifies Offerings with New Services Beyond Lodging
Source: ROCA Cultural Tourism
Short-term rental giant Airbnb is expanding beyond lodging services with the relaunch of "Airbnb Experiences" and the debut of a new business line, Airbnb Services. Announced at the star-studded 2025 Summer Release event in Los Angeles, the move comes amid a mixed first-quarter earnings report. Alongside a refreshed all-in-one app, these updates mark a shift in strategy—from a lodging-focused platform to a comprehensive travel service provider. With the newly introduced Airbnb Services, hosts can now offer hotel-like amenities and add-on services during a guest’s stay.
4. China Eastern Airlines to Launch Direct Flights to Geneva, Milan, Copenhagen, and Other European Cities
Source: China Eastern Airlines
China Eastern Airlines is expanding its footprint in Europe with the launch of several new direct routes. Service from Pudong, Shanghai, to Geneva begins June 16, followed by Milan on June 20 and Copenhagen on July 17. Tickets for all routes are now available. The flights will be operated by wide-body aircraft equipped with high-speed inflight Wi-Fi, allowing passengers to stay connected throughout the journey.
5. Changi Airport Breaks Ground on Terminal 5
Source: CCTV News App
On May 14 (local time), Singapore’s Changi Airport held a groundbreaking ceremony for its long-anticipated Terminal 5. Designed to enhance operational efficiency, the new terminal will feature cutting-edge automation, intelligent systems, over 70 boarding gates, and an underground light rail line. It will also introduce Changi Airport’s first integrated transport hub.In 2024, Changi Airport ranked as the world’s fourth busiest international airport, handling over 7,200 weekly flights across nearly 100 airlines.
6. Spring Airlines Introduces Pet Travel Option with Owner-Supervised In-Cabin Seating
Source: The Beijing News
On May 15, Spring Airlines announced the launch of its pioneering “Pets in Cabin” service. Starting May 20, the airline will pilot the program on its Shanghai–Harbin round-trip route, offering a pet-friendly travel option that includes designated three-seat zones and priority boarding.
The service features a dedicated pet-friendly three-seat zone in select cabin areas. Under this arrangement, passengers are assigned the aisle seat, while the middle and window seats accommodate the pet carrier. A physical partition ensures a relatively private and secure space, allowing owners to supervise their pets throughout the flight.
7. Trip.com Group Reports Q1 2025 Revenue of RMB 13.8 Billion, Up 16% Year-on-Year
Source: AirlinesJRJ.com
Trip.com Group Limited released its first-quarter 2025 financial results on May 20, highlighting significant growth in the company’s international business. Total bookings on its global OTA platforms increased by over 60% year-on-year, while inbound tourism bookings more than doubled. Outbound hotel and flight bookings have now exceeded 120% of the levels recorded in the same period of 2019, before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.