CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- As the National Day holiday ended and the tourism market entered its off-season, elderly travelers seized the opportunity to begin their journeys, taking advantage of lower airfare and hotel prices.

Data from Qunar shows a significant increase in air ticket bookings by elderly travelers this week, with travel dates starting after October 11 (the Double Ninth Festival). The proportion of bookings by elderly travelers rebounded from 5.9% during the National Day holiday to 10%. Thanks to off-season deals, bookings for high-end and luxury hotels by this population group have surged by 60% year-on-year. Beihai, in particular, saw a rush of elderly travelers filling flights.

Platform statistics reveal that while travelers over 70 represent a smaller segment, those aged 55 to 65 form the largest group. These elderly travelers, as the main force for off-season travel, tend to embark on longer journeys with extended stays, reflecting their strong spending power. On Qunar’s platform, elderly travelers took an average of 2.14 flights in the first half of 2024, up from 2019 and 2023 levels. This group also made a notable presence during the summer and National Day holidays, indicating that many elderly travelers vacation twice a year.

The first wave of elderly travelers is set to depart between October 14 and 24. With pleasant weather still lingering across much of China, popular regions for travel include Chengdu-Chongqing and Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai areas. Major destinations such as Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Xiamen, Xi'an, Changsha, Nanjing, and Hangzhou continue to attract attention. In Sichuan Province, hotel bookings have surged in areas like Aba, Ganzi, Leshan, and Mianyang – particularly Jiuzhaigou, which has become even more accessible for elderly tourists since the opening of the high-speed rail.

On Ctrip, travel bookings by the silver-haired population aged 50 and above increased nearly 20% post-National Day compared to 2023.

Ctrip’s data highlights that over half of the online tourism expenses by the elderly go towards purchasing air tickets, a figure significantly higher than that of younger age groups.

Additionally, this population group shows a strong preference for high-end hotels. Twin Bed Rooms and other spacious options, such as family rooms and suites in four- and five-star hotels, have a TGI (Target Group Index) of around 130, showing a higher-than-average interest from elderly travelers compared to other age groups.

Wang Xinxin, General Manager of Ctrip Group’s Agile Project Department and head of the Ctrip Senior Friends Club project, commented: “The silver-haired population is more inclined to travel by air and stay in high-star hotels. 'Having money and leisure time' is a key feature of their online travel habits. This trend reflects their well-rounded consideration of financial resources, travel experience, and physical stamina. Elderly travelers from first- and second-tier cities prefer to spend more time exploring attractions and engaging in experiences, rather than wasting time on lengthy transportation.” (Translated by Yuki, Fathom Language Limited)