China Tourism Tuesday

What’s really driving Chinese outbound travel in 2026?In Episode 36 of China Tourism Tuesday, we dive deep into the latest May Day outbound travel trends, unpacking the data, personal experiences, industry war stories, and key insights shaping the market right now.From the growing influence of the economy on traveler behavior, to the rise of experiential tourism and immersive destination content, the conversation explores what Chinese travelers are really looking for heading into the summer season.One major takeaway? Aspirational, emotionally engaging travel content is becoming more important than ever in influencing destination choice.A fascinating discussion for anyone working in tourism, hospitality, destination marketing, or the China outbound travel space.

In today’s episode of China Tourism Tuesday, we are thrilled to sit down with two industry experts - Alfred Li and Antonio Teijeiro - to dive deep into the most pressing trends shaping China’s tourism landscape, especially as the highly anticipated May 1st holiday approaches. Together, we explore the booming outbound tourism market, breaking down how post-pandemic travel habits have shifted and what travelers are seeking in their international getaways this holiday season. We also unpack the growing role of AI in tourism: from its emergence as executive tour guide agents that streamline trip planning to its impact on marketing strategies, as brands leverage new AI developments to connect with consumers. Additionally, we discuss how GEO development is revolutionizing destination and experience recommendations, tailoring suggestions to travelers’ locations and preferences, and examine the fierce competition among influencers and brands during peak consumer spending periods like the May 1st holiday, where many struggle to stand out in a crowded market.

In today’s episode of China Tourism Tuesday, we are thrilled to sit down with two industry experts - Alfred Li and Antonio Teijeiro - to dive deep into the most pressing trends shaping China’s tourism landscape, especially as the highly anticipated May 1st holiday approaches. Together, we explore the booming outbound tourism market, breaking down how post-pandemic travel habits have shifted and what travelers are seeking in their international getaways this holiday season. We also unpack the growing role of AI in tourism: from its emergence as executive tour guide agents that streamline trip planning to its impact on marketing strategies, as brands leverage new AI developments to connect with consumers. Additionally, we discuss how GEO development is revolutionizing destination and experience recommendations, tailoring suggestions to travelers’ locations and preferences, and examine the fierce competition among influencers and brands during peak consumer spending periods like the May 1st holiday, where many struggle to stand out in a crowded market.

In  our latest episode 34 of the China Tourism Tuesday podcast series we have the well respected China outbound tourism industry veteran,  @AlfredLi, as a special guest. Having served in various roles for 13  years with New Zealand Tourism and ultimately serving as their China  manager, Alfred has a depth of insight into the China tourism market  that is hard to match. Besides discussing the China outbound tourism  market in general we also have a deep dive discussion into AI assisted  search in China, which platforms of relevance to the tourism industry it  is already a reality but most importantly how AI assisted search and  Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) will impact on tourism related  search on China’s leading OTA and social media platforms. If you have  any comments please do let us know and remember to subscribe!ode 34 of the China Tourism Tuesday podcast series we  have the well respected China outbound tourism industry veteran, @AlfredLi, as a special guest. Having served in various roles for 13 years with New Zealand Tourism and ultimately serving as their China manager, Alfred has a depth of insight into the China tourism market that is hard to match. Besides discussing the China outbound tourism market in general we also have a deep dive discussion into AI assisted search in China, which platforms of relevance to the tourism industry it is already a reality but most importantly how AI assisted search and Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO)will impact on tourism related search on China’s leading OTA and social media platforms. If you have any comments please do let us know and remember to subscribe! 

In Episode 33 of China Tourism Tuesday,  we sit down with Jane Carter and Qing Hui from China Outbound and  Inbound Travel Market (COITM), to unpack what’s happening on the ground  right now.With COITM kicking off soon in Beijing, we discuss what  this signals for the industry, how sentiment has shifted among Chinese  travel professionals, and what destinations, hotels, and tourism boards  should realistically expect from the China market in 2025 and beyond.You can reach out to Qing Hui at [email protected], and Jane at [email protected]. For more information on COITM, visit www.coitm.cn.

In Episode 33 of China Tourism Tuesday, we sit down with Jane Carter and Qing Hui from China Outbound and Inbound Travel Market (COITM), to unpack what’s happening on the ground right now.With COITM kicking off soon in Beijing, we discuss what this signals for the industry, how sentiment has shifted among Chinese travel professionals, and what destinations, hotels, and tourism boards should realistically expect from the China market in 2025 and beyond.

In today’s episode of China Tourism Tuesday, we sit down with Charel van Dam, Marketing Director of the Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions (NBTC).We explore the past, present, and future of promoting European destinations, through the lens of the Netherlands’ tourism strategy. From what has worked before and which benchmarks have already been met, to today’s best practices and the “low-hanging fruit” still available to European tourism marketers.The conversation places Europe squarely between China and the United States, unpacking how European destinations can position themselves in 2026’s uncertain geopolitical and economic environment; and what smart, pragmatic marketing looks like right now.

In today’s episode, we review the 2025 travel trends with our China travel trade and digital teams, sharing insider insights from the front lines of RedNote’s global expansion and predicting the next up-and-coming destinations for Chinese outbound tourism, including rising interest in Russia and the Middle East.

Episode 30 of China Tourism Tuesday sits down with Samuel Yu, Senior Marketing Executive for Seychelles Tourism in China, for a wide-ranging conversation on how destinations are navigating a fast-changing China outbound market as we move into 2025 and 2026.From Seychelles’ positioning philosophy in China to key growth segments like MICE, social media strategy, and how tourism boards read economic and geopolitical signals in real time, this episode offers practical insight into how smart destinations stay relevant - and resilient - in a shifting landscape.

On this week’s episode, we’re diving into the big shifts shaping winter and Christmas travel for Chinese tourists. Russia has suddenly emerged as one of the hottest outbound destinations, even overtaking longtime favourites like Singapore and the UK, thanks to its brand-new visa-free policy for Chinese travellers.Meanwhile, diplomatic tensions with Japan have caused a sharp drop in China-to-Japan travel, pushing a new wave of tourists back toward Southeast Asia, especially Thailand, although Thailand’s recent airport tax increase is raising a few eyebrows. The Philippines, Malaysia, and Cambodia are also seeing renewed momentum, even as Thailand and Cambodia find themselves once again navigating border tensions.

In this week’s episode of China Tourism Tuesday (Episode 28), we take a close look at the World Travel Market in London and its implications for the China travel industry. We also discuss insights from CIIE in Shanghai and what these major events reveal about the evolving landscape of international destination branding in China.This episode covers the latest visa and travel regulation updates, new flight routes, and key developments from the front lines of international tourism promotion in China’s outbound travel market.

On Episode 27, we’re taking a deep dive into the newly released numbers from the October Golden Week holidays, from outbound travel stats and destination rankings to how domestic travel patterns have evolved this year. We’ll also look at the growing wave of Russian tourists visiting China, the renewed enthusiasm among Chinese travelers for Europe, and how Chinese educational tourism is transforming (or not?) under Trump 2.

In this week’s episode, we sit down with Julia Louw, Acting Chief Tourism Officer at Wesgro, to discuss the Western Cape’s ambitious push to grow its footprint in the China market. Julia shares insights into how Cape Town and the Western Cape are positioning themselves amid rising continental competition, and what South Africa is doing to build a strong, sustainable share of China’s outbound travel. Tune in to hear how the region aims to replicate its success in the North American, European, and GCC markets - and what’s next for the Western Cape of South Africa in Asia.

In this episode, we reflect on the South Africa Tourism Roadshow that just concluded for China, as the China market remains flat from a volume perspective but shows continued growth in high-value spend. China-Thai travel trends and the questions it raises around the ongoing importance of group travel are covered, along with much more of the latest research coming out of the China outbound space.

Today, we chat with Harriet Owalla, a Kenyan travel journalist and African tourism expert.We dive into how Chinese tourism to Africa might unfold, and share our latest research showing East Africa’s travel brand on Rednote is strong - while Southern Africa lags behind, and West & Central African travel brands are just emerging.

In today’s episode of China Tourism Tuesday (Ep. 23), we take you through some of the most important—and surprising—developments shaping outbound Chinese tourism right now.We look at: The Thailand–Cambodia border tensions and how they’re impacting cross-border travel A new surge of Chinese visitors to India as visa access normalizes And our deep-dive report on how Chinese travelers on Red Note are engaging with African destinations—from West to East, Central to Southern Africa.Find out which regions are winning attention, which products are trending, and where the next big growth opportunities may lie.

Today, we sit down with Johan van Schalkwyk of the Aquila Collection, to talk about China's rising interest in South African travel – and how South African brands can crack the China market, much like Aquila Collection has managed to do over the past several years. Listen to Johan talk visas, safety, social media strategy and product offerings as Aquila Collection looks to roll out a whole new level of African safari luxury in 2025.

Today, we speak to Philip van der Walt of African Travel Company (ATC), an Africa overland truck and camping adventure company that has found real traction in the China market.For those who thought the China market was all glamping and group tours, Philip breaks down play by play how ATC found a real foothold in the China market – proving once and for all that, with the right strategic marketing thinking, the curious Chinese travel market can be won over.

How will Pokemon shape the trends of family travel?For  Episode 20 of China Tourism Tuesday, Michael and Charl sit down to talk  about the latest research in Chinese family travel, and the potential  power of children's media to redirect travel trends. Travel  brands across the world are increasingly faced with changing outbound  Chinese travel dynamics, as travel spend flows increasingly to wealthy  family units, more than young, freedom-seeking individuals. What does this mean for local travel economies, social media and strategy?

On China Tourism Tuesday episode 19, we sit down with Charlie Andrews, the man looking to bring China's COTTM  2025 to a whole new concept of travel and consumer show: Panda Lifestyle Festival in Chengdu, Sichuan.Listen  to Charlie outline his vision of the Chinese travel and leisure  economy, the evolving preferences of Chinese tourists, and how B2C shows  are the next frontier in engaging China – on our very first video  podcast, no less!

In today's episode, we speak with Asia travel analyst Gary Bowerman about his research on the China outbound travel market, insights on China readiness among both emerging and historically leading destinations for the market, and how he sees the future of travel in APAC.

In today's episode, we talk to Jo Fuhan Zhou, professional livestreamer at Trip.com, about livestream sales in the tourism sector. We cover content trends, user insights, and how exactly the emerging medium of livestream selling is developing in China – and soon – the rest of the world.

We talk to China trade relations expert and practitioner Amy Cheng about how she sees Chinese travel to South Africa and the broader continent, and shares some of her experiences traversing South African cities, wine culture and wildlife.

In this episode, we talk to Mingjie Wang, Chief Correspondent at China Daily based in London and an award-winning documentary presenter and producer. As a key panel presenter at ATM 2025, Mingjie shares his reflections on the Middle East, China and the Gulf, and how Chinese tourism to this region is set to play out over the next several years.

In today's episode, we discuss the Middle East, Arabian Travel Market, and Chinese travel to destinations such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and beyond. We talk about the future of travel and tourism in the Gulf and Middle East, and how policymakers and businesses can shape their vision of the China market - less impressed by big infrastructure, deeply moved by authentic ancient cultures.

In today's episode, we discuss the hottest outbound travel packages to the Middle East ahead of China's May 1st Golden Week holidays coming up. We also touch on the recent World Tourism Cities Federation's Hong Kong Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit, where cities from Africa to Eurasia and beyond were given a platform to promote their respective destinations to a broad range of China decision makers.

A teaser for our upcoming Rednote report on the brand power of Middle East destinations on China's highest-spending social platform. We rank each country tourism brand, and talk through what exactly China values most about each destination that makes up the region.

Regina Zhuoqing Li, leading travel journalist and influencer, talks to us about the intersection between Chinese outbound travel and the media platforms that shape perceptions. From consumer preferences to key platforms and key decision makers in the outbound travel landscape, Regina breaks down the latest developments and shares insights into the travel influencer space.

We talk to Ella Lu, Media Relations Specialist at Create Consulting, about opportunities, risks, quirks and current trends in dealing with China's complex media landscape. From state media to trade media, Ella covers crisis communications, familiarisation trips, what do avoid and how to best support Chinese media.

Today, we’re joined by David Liu, former Chairman of Weber Shandwick China and a leader in the China PR industry. David is also a major social media thought leader in China, influencing a huge following on Douyin, Rednote, and Weibo.In this episode, we discuss the best Chinese social media platforms for tourism, how to create campaigns to attract Chinese tourists, how to find the right influencers, and manage them effectively.

South Africa has the power to go viral on Rednote, but can we unlock the country's true potential?Today, we discuss how Rednote sees South Africa, taking an analytics-based approach to everything from penguins to Afrikaburn, hunting, the Ping Pong World Championships and TTOS.Learn about who in China is thinking about going to South Africa, who the big spenders are and what they're interested in.

In today's episode, we talk to Joe Zou, Commercial Director for Asia at HX Hurtigruten Expedition. Joe talks to us about changes in the China outbound tourism market, the cruise industry, and how consumer preferences continue to evolve.

We sit down with Antonio Teijeiro, a China hotel and tourism industry specialist and general manager of the Kai Wah Plaza Hotel in Kunming, Yunnan. Antonio talks to us about shifting priorities and skills needed to grow in the Chinese tourism ecosystem in the 2020s and beyond.

Featuring Guido Brettschneider, CEO of TUI China, we discuss inbound tourism trends to China, emerging destinations, products and experiences, as local governments across China invest more into attracting inbound travellers to the Middle Kingdom.

A discussion with Beijing based Amy Cheng about a recent visit to the Douyin (Bytedance & Tik-Tok) headquarters in Beijing, China outbound tourism to southern Africa, east Africa, north Africa and the Middle East. 

In episode 3 of China Tourism Tuesday we take a deeper look into which countries, cities and activities were trending on RedNote/Xiaohongshu during the China New Year holidays with some interesting trends emerging around Antartica, Northern Europe, and Africa and Hiking as an activity. The trends are available in our most recent RedNote analytics report available here: https://www.cconsulting.com.cn/post/rednote-analytics-report-top-destinations-and-activities-over-chinese-new-year-2025 

Episode 2 of our China  Tourism Tuesday is now live, check it out! In today's episode we have a  deep dive discussion about Crisis Communications and Issues Management  specifically for the China outbound tourism industry, how it has  evolved, how traditional media continues to play a vital role, how  social media is in the mix but importantly the long overlooked and  unappreciated role China outbound tour operators can play

The first podcast  episode of China Tourism Tuesday is now live! China Tourism Tuesday is a  weekly podcast show featuring highlights of China's outbound tourism  industry with hosts Charl Albertyn, PhD in Shanghai and Michael Jones in  Amsterdam at 2pm China time. In episode 1 we cover trends from the past  7 days including latest China domestic tourism statistics, new flight  connections, RedNote/Xiaohongshu analysis, overview of FITUR Madrid 2025, engagement with Hong Kong influencers and Centara Hotels & Resorts expansion into the family friendly hospitality segment