Chinese travellers to spend more – study
Chinese holidaymakers are the most confident in the world, with almost two thirds having an increased budget for leisure travel this year, according to a new study.
The global poll by the Wyndham Hotel Group found that the global economic downturn appears not to be affecting Chinese tourists as much as their counterparts in the West. Sixty percent of Chinese travellers have an increased holiday budget for 2012, compared to just 27% in US and 24% in the UK and Canada. Of these Chinese travellers, 61% said they would allocate extra money to ensure a hotel upgrade, while 37% plan to stay in upscale hotels and 35% in midscale hotels. In comparison, just over a third (35%) of Brazilian holidaymakers will opt for a budget hotel.
In addition, more than a third of Chinese (34%) said they would be willing to pay more for fine dining as well as good service (35%) and cleaning/concierge services (34%).
The majority of Chinese travellers (56%) are planning a shopping trip, while close to half (49%) want to visit a theme park holiday. A remarkably high number (46%) also said they wanted to take a diving trip. Travellers in the US were most inclined to visit a theme park (54%), while many Canadian tourists were keen on shopping (42%).
Regardless of nationality, the majority of travellers (53%) agree they would allocate extra funds to extend a holiday, while just under half (47%) would upgrade to a better hotel. By contrast, just one in four (25%) would be happy to pay extra for hotel facilities such as spa services.
Less than a quarter (24%) of those polled would forgo a holiday when faced with budget constraints. Instead, 60% would opt to cut back on fine dining and eating out (44%). Of those who plan to keep their holiday plans intact, nearly a third (30%) will travel just once this year.
Overall, travellers focus the largest proportion of holiday spend on activities outside of the hotel, with more than a third (37%) going on excursions, with shopping and dining-out joint second (both 23%).
When it comes to booking a hotel, close to half (45%) of holidaymakers will opt for midscale property. Of those who travel once or less a year, more than a quarter (28%) opt for a budget hotel, while 39% of frequent travellers (travelling four times a year or more) will splash-out on an upscale hotel.
Globally, 43% will visit a theme park this year, with 37% opting for an adventure-based trip (including safari, diving and spa). Forty percent would prefer a shopping trip.
The study surveyed just more than 5,600 adults in key cities throughout China, the UK, US, Canada and Brazil.