Published on
October 8, 2025
Russia, Norway, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand are witnessing an unprecedented surge in tourism as millions of Chinese travelers embarked on international trips during the combined National Day and Chuseok holidays. This wave of outbound travel is driven by several factors: the extended eight-day break created a perfect window for long-haul trips, growing disposable incomes among Chinese travelers are fueling demand for global experiences, and visa-free or simplified entry policies in many destinations have made international travel more accessible. Popular cities, remote islands, and natural landmarks across these countries have seen record crowds, with Chinese tourists exploring both well-known attractions and lesser-visited locations, creating a global ripple effect across tourism economies.
Travel data from the Chinese online platform Ctnal revealed bookings to nearly 600 international cities during this holiday period, underscoring the strong appetite of Chinese travelers for overseas experiences. Both iconic tourist hubs and emerging destinations saw unprecedented numbers of arrivals, highlighting a shift toward diverse travel experiences and the growing global footprint of China’s tourism sector. Analysts had predicted high travel volumes, but the scale of the surge exceeded expectations, demonstrating the profound influence of Chinese travelers on worldwide tourism trends.
In Europe, small towns and natural attractions bore the brunt of the influx. Norway’s Lofoten Islands, with a population of about 20,000, faced traffic congestion and fully booked local establishments as Chinese visitors arrived in large numbers. Other European villages and coastal areas reported similar pressures, with local services pushed to their limits. Diving hotspots such as the Palau Blue Hole also experienced heavy crowds, reflecting Chinese tourists’ increasing interest in non-traditional and adventure destinations.
Australia saw a substantial rise in Chinese visitors, particularly in cities like Sydney. Whale-watching tours and major landmarks were heavily attended, creating crowded conditions in public spaces. The language landscape shifted as Mandarin became widely spoken in urban tourist areas. The influx also highlighted safety concerns, with severe weather incidents affecting hikers and climbing emergencies on Mount Everest requiring coordinated rescue operations, illustrating the complexity of managing large-scale international tourism.
Russia and Japan recorded notable increases in Chinese travelers as well. Moscow’s central tourist districts experienced heightened activity, while airports including Kansai International Airport in Osaka reported immigration queues exceeding two hours, emphasizing the operational pressures on transportation hubs during peak holiday periods.
South Korea’s recent visa-free policy for Chinese group tourists contributed to significant increases in visitor numbers. Shopping districts and retail hubs experienced high foot traffic, generating substantial economic benefits. This demonstrates how visa regulations and travel facilitation can directly influence tourist behavior and destination popularity.
The overall volume of Chinese outbound travel during this period was extraordinary. Official figures indicate that more than two million travelers crossed international borders daily. Analysts estimated between 8 and 8.4 million trips abroad, with Southeast Asian destinations such as Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand seeing particularly high demand. This surge highlights the pivotal role of Chinese travelers in driving global tourism growth and stimulating economic activity in host countries.
The economic impact of this travel wave is significant. Countries worldwide benefited from increased spending on accommodations, dining, transport, and attractions, even as local authorities had to adapt to manage overcrowding and ensure visitor safety. Tourism management, emergency preparedness, and infrastructure planning were tested on a large scale, offering valuable lessons for future peak travel periods.
China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism is expected to release detailed post-holiday statistics, providing insights into spending patterns, popular destinations, and overall economic impact. The scale of this movement illustrates not only the enthusiasm of Chinese tourists but also the strategic importance of outbound travel as a global economic driver.
From Europe’s serene islands and Australia’s iconic coastlines to Asia’s bustling shopping streets, the influence of Chinese holiday travelers has been evident across multiple continents. International destinations are learning from this experience, preparing infrastructure, improving services, and implementing policies to better accommodate future surges.
The 2025 National Day and Chuseok holidays have reinforced the growing role of Chinese travelers in shaping global tourism patterns, emphasizing both the opportunities for economic growth and the challenges of managing high-volume international travel.
