During the May Day holiday this year, compared with some big cities, the popularity of tickets and air tickets to third-tier and below cities increased relatively more. The increase in tourism bookings, hotel and scenic spot ticket orders in the county market of fourth-tier and below cities was higher than the national market. In addition to popular cities, more and more "small cities" are favored by tourists.

Based on the travel booking data from May Day, the number of tourists visiting third- and fourth-tier cities has seen a significant increase during this holiday.

According to Tongcheng data, compared with core cities, the popularity of train tickets and air tickets to third-tier and below cities during the May Day holiday has increased relatively more. On April 29th and 30th, the popularity of train tickets and air tickets to third-tier and below cities including county-level cities increased by more than 200% on a weekly basis.

According to Ctrip data, the tourism market in cities at or below the fourth-tier level, especially in county towns and county-level cities, has seen significant growth, resulting in new volume. During the May Day holiday, the number of travel bookings in cities at or below the fourth-tier level increased by 140% year-on-year, outperforming the national market and showing a significantly higher growth rate than first- and second-tier cities. The number of hotel bookings in county markets increased by 68% year-on-year, and the number of scenic spot tickets increased by 151% year-on-year, both of which showed higher growth rates than the national market. Cities with regional airports such as Tumushuke, Baoshan, Huaihua, Chifeng, Hotan, and Heze, saw significant year-on-year growth in air ticket bookings, with most exceeding 50%.

At the same time, cities below the third tier with small airports have also become more cost-effective destinations. According to Qunar data, compared to large cities, hotel prices in small cities are lower, and you can stay in high-end and luxury hotels for around 400 yuan. The comprehensive costs of dining, transportation, shopping, etc. are also about half lower than those in large cities. It is more cost-effective to travel to small cities during holidays.

"During the May Day holiday, some tourism products are relatively expensive. In order to pursue cost-effectiveness, people will choose to travel to some emerging destinations in third- and fourth-tier cities during off-peak periods, which also results in relatively dispersed passenger flow and a higher increase in tourism orders in third- and fourth-tier cities," said Yang Yanfeng, director of the Online Tourism Research Center at Beijing Union University.

Editor Ⅰ: Zhang Wenwen

Editor Ⅱ: Wu Dan

Editor Ⅲ: Liu Guosong