Trending Now: China's Social Media Highlights #14April-20April#

Weibo

Image Source: Weibo

Fliggy Launches “AI Ask” Feature Fliggy Travel released its new “AI Ask” tool, promoting it as more than a trip planner—a route customiser, budgeting assistant, travel advisor, hotel consultant, and more. “You can ask it anything,” says Fliggy, showcasing the growing intersection of AI and travel platforms. read more

U.S. Tourism Could Lose $64 Billion in 2025 A report by Tourism Economics predicts that reduced inbound travel, partly due to U.S. visa issues and geopolitical tension, may cost the U.S. tourism sector $64 billion in 2025. Experts warn that the impact of America's declining international image could last generations. read more

Image Source: Weibo

2025 Declared "China-Cambodia Tourism Year" During a meeting in Phnom Penh, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet jointly declared 2025 the “China-Cambodia Tourism Year.” Travel Dashboard data by Huakai Marketing forecasts 512K Chinese arrivals in Cambodia over the next 6 months, up from 364K a year ago. read more

Douyin

China’s Q1 GDP Grows 5.4% China's Q1 GDP rose 5.4% YoY, with disposable income up 5.5%. Sports and entertainment-related spending accounted for 25.4% of total retail growth, reflecting growing consumer enthusiasm for travel and leisure. read more

May Day Travel Rush Begins China's May Day travel peak will begin around April 26. Booking pressure is comparable to the Spring Festival travel. Train ticket searches in tier-3+ cities spiked 200%, and booking volume from tier-4 and below cities is up 140% week-over-week. read more

Xiaohongshu

Top Outbound Picks for May Day Chinese travellers are eyeing destinations like Japan, Malaysia’s Semporna, and Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island. China Trading Desk estimates 289K Chinese tourists will visit Vietnam in May, a 44.6% increase from the same period in 2024. read more

Japan Megaquake Warning The Japanese government now assesses an 80% probability of a magnitude-9 Nankai Trough earthquake within 30 years. Worst-case estimates include 298,000 deaths and economic damage over $1.8 trillion, especially if the quake hits at night in winter. read more

Baidu

May Day’s Top Travel Destinations Revealed Many Chinese travellers plan to “go further” during the May Day holidays. Top international destinations include Seoul, Osaka, Tokyo, Singapore, and Bangkok, with Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, and Jeju Island also trending. read more

Image Source: Baidu

China and Malaysia Sign Visa-Free Agreement China and Malaysia signed a mutual visa exemption agreement during President Xi Jinping’s state visit. The deal enables greater travel and cooperation between the two countries and marks a step forward in building the China-Malaysia community of shared future. read more

Zhihu

Earthquake Risk Advisory for Chinese Nationals in Japan Chinese residents are urged to stay informed through media and emergency alerts, prepare essential supplies, identify nearby evacuation shelters, and register with the China Consular App. The embassy also advises carefully evaluating travel, study, and property investment plans in Japan. read more