"Over 100 Million Travelers Expected During China's Qingming Festival Holiday"

Impact of Lifting the Mandatory Submission of COVID-19 Negative Test Certificates

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yu Je-hoon] It is forecasted that as many as 100 million people will travel during China's Qingming Festival (淸明節) holiday period.

According to China's Global Times on the 4th, Trip.com predicted that the number of travelers during the Qingming Festival holiday from the 3rd to the 5th will reach 100 million. This is similar to the level before the spread of COVID-19 in 2019.

The Global Times reported that this increase in travelers is due to the Chinese government's relaxation of COVID-19 related restrictions. Previously, starting from the 16th, the Chinese government allowed travel without submitting COVID-19 nucleic acid test results.

The Global Times also anticipated that this increase in tourists will lead to growth in sectors such as transportation, hotels, dining, shopping, and entertainment. In fact, the number of railway travelers in China is expected to reach 49.7 million from the 2nd to the 5th.

Growth is also expected in the civil aviation sector. Aviation data service company Variflight projected that the number of flights during this Qingming Festival holiday period will reach about 34,700, double that of the same period last year.