Lunar New Year Holiday: Thailand Now Outpacing Japan As Travelers’ Choice

Skift
Published: March 2, 2026
Growth & Marketing
Lunar New Year Holiday: Thailand Now Outpacing Japan As Travelers’ Choice

Summary

Chinese New Year 2026 saw a shift in travel trends, with Thailand becoming a top destination as Japan's popularity waned due to diplomatic tensions. Chinese travelers spent more time and money on longer trips during the longest holiday in recent years, boosting outbound bookings. This presents opportunities for hosts in trending destinations.

Key Insights

  • Chinese border crossings increased nearly 10% year-over-year during the Chinese New Year holiday, with 9.5 million crossings recorded.
  • Fliggy reported roughly 30% year-on-year growth for outbound flights, hotels, and local entertainment.

Action Items

  • Hosts should research and consider listing properties in destinations experiencing a surge in demand, like Thailand.
    Effort: medium
    Impact: medium

Tools & Resources

  • Fliggy: Online travel platforms, such as Fliggy and Mafengwo, noted strong gains.
  • Mafengwo: Online travel platforms, such as Fliggy and Mafengwo, noted strong gains.

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