Outbound travel market rebounds, fueled by digitally-savvy newcomers prioritizing value-conscious luxury experiences over traditional status symbols.

As China progresses through mid-2025, the outbound travel market continues to chart a strong recovery trajectory, evolving with renewed confidence and discernible shifts in consumer priorities. That is according to China Trading Desk (CTD) and its latest China Outbound Travel Sentiment Survey for Q2 2025.

China's outbound tourism is back in full swing, but the real shift is in why. people are travelling and how they're deciding where to go, what to book, and what to buy.

China’s consumer market is accelerating in 2025, from Gen Z-led outbound travel and outdoor ad resurgence to digital-savvy seniors and luxury campaigns on OTT. Hainan’s wellness boom and shifting platform ROI mark a turning point.

Central Asia Emerges as China’s Hot New Outbound Destination China’s outbound travel to Central Asia surged 100% YoY in H1 2025. Destinations like Uzbekistan (orders up 60%) and Kazakhstan (flights up 60%) saw a spike, especially from Urumqi, Beijing, and Xi’an. Visa waivers and group-tour access are boosting appeal, especially among retirees—but young travellers are growing fast.

Big city lights? Too dull, say bright-eyed Chinese travellers who prefer to dream of far-flung locales – areas more likely to drain their life alongside their bank account. And oh, what a thrill.

Teenagers in 2025 have grown up online, with digitized lives that seldom see a day without a screen. Combined with the booming wellness industry, that internet-overload has carved a new generation in search for “digital detox vacations,” with Gen Alpha growing up to be a key target consumer-base for luxury wellness retreats.

China’s June trends show rising outbound momentum alongside flexible domestic escapes. Weibo highlighted self-drive holidays and visa-free access to New Zealand, while Baidu flagged quick 48-hour trips abroad and Bali’s popularity among graduates. Douyin users favoured solo travel, and Zhihu reflected growing demand for personal, international journeys. Despite Japan-bound concerns on Xiaohongshu, outbound intent stays strong, signalling new opportunities for brands targeting

China is poised to become the world’s largest luxury goods market by 2030, fuelled by evolving consumer values and intensified digital marketing. Insights from Whale Dynamic’s 2025 report reveal strategic shifts in media investment, with mobile still dominant but OTT channels rising fast. Seasonal advertising peaks and emotionally driven, experience-led consumption now define market dynamics. Leading brands like Rolex and MiuMiu exemplify the balance between short-term engage