China's Spring Festival was one of the world's biggest travel seasons before the Wuhan coronavirus pandemic, but on Thursday the state-run Global Times is expected It has regained its glory this year, with more than 9 billion passengers scheduled to travel over the next 40 days.
Earth's population is Estimation It is estimated that there will be approximately 8 billion people.
“From congested transportation hubs to the hustle and bustle seen in markets across the country, the expected economic boom [Lunar] “The country is poised to continue its steady recovery as we look forward to a vibrant 2024.” Global Times I wrote this in an attempt to inject some optimism. dark economical image.
Dragon dancers perform in a park in Beijing on the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, February 8, 2019. (GREG BAKER/AFP via Getty Images)
Communist Party newspapers have seen crowded airports and train stations everywhere during the Chinese New Year and New Year holidays. Chunyun The season officially opens on Friday:
The airport announced on Thursday that the number of passenger trips at the airport during the spring period will be 7.2 million, an increase of more than 60% compared to the same period in 2023, and the implementation of the visa reciprocity policy during the spring period will increase the number of international passengers. It added that the number would reach 1.41 million. China and many countries.
The scene witnessed by the Global Times at the airport is just a snapshot of the strong flow of people across the country during one of China's busiest seasons of the year. Observers expect the travel rush to boost spending for the upcoming holidays, inject new vitality and boost the country's economic development in 2024.
Singapore, ostensibly experiencing a surge in tourists, announced visa-free travel to and from China on Thursday, but the policy will not take effect until February 9, the Lunar New Year. Many people are expected to travel to Japan and South Korea.
A group of Chinese tourists walk outside the arrival lobby of Narita Airport on January 24, 2020 in Narita, Japan. (Tomohiro Osumi/Getty Images)
of Global Times It was also reported that reservations for the following domestic tourist attractions are concentrated: ski resort of Heilongjiang Province.
Reuters I got it. China announced on Friday that if its forecast of 9 billion domestic travelers comes true, the number of travelers will increase by nearly 100 percent in 2023, the first Lunar New Year holiday season after the coronavirus lockdown ends. did.
Some Chinese travelers Reuters spoke to said flights and trains appear to be much busier this year than last. Air travel has long waiting lists, and some say reservation services are charging extra to put passengers on crowded trains.
extreme left new york times (New York Times) Moist These frenetic reports are somewhat understated by noting that air capacity remains at “just two-thirds of pre-pandemic levels” and therefore fewer planes are busier. has been criticized.
“China's economy will continue to be the main factor preventing Chinese people from traveling abroad. Although growth has recovered from the pandemic, the weight of a severe real estate recession is weighing down domestic consumer spending and confidence.” Ta. new york times Said.
“And global geopolitical tensions remain a wild card. China has trade disputes with the United States and Europe, home to many large multinational companies, as they rethink doing business in China. , travel has been hurt,” the report added.
It is clear that the Chinese government is trying to boost morale by holding a large-scale Lunar New Year tourism and shopping season this year. new york times Most international analysts said they do not expect international travel to fully recover to pre-pandemic levels until next year.
