China’s economy continues to struggle, with increasing unemployment and decreasing consumer spending. With a five-day holiday for Labor Day this year, people are more inclined to take short trips or choose budget-friendly destinations in an effort to save money. Some individuals express concerns about the ongoing pandemic in China and the poor social environment, leading them to avoid crowded places to reduce the risk of infection.
The China Railway Group stated that the national railway passenger flow during the Labor Day holiday is expected to reach a record high of 144 million people this year, with short-distance trips being the preference. People are still hesitant about embarking on expensive long-distance travel, opting to wait and see.
A resident from Liaoning province, Jiang Xiaoliang (pseudonym), told a media outlet, “Facing the China-US trade war, the Communist Party claims to be able to endure a prolonged conflict, but ordinary people have no money left. How can they sustain it?” He further added, “Who wouldn’t want to travel if they had the money? It would be great to spend in the United States, Japan, Europe, or indulge in luxury. People spend when they have money and stay at home when they don’t, or perhaps relax in their hometown.”
“It’s all about budget travel now. Those who can afford to travel belong to the silver-haired economy,” Jiang Xiaoliang remarked. “Retired elderly people have money, but where do young people get the funds? Young people still have to work hard. Raising children requires money for formula, preschool, and education. Don’t young people need to work? Yet even older individuals are opting for short trips or budget-friendly destinations.”
According to data from Ctrip, searches related to small cities have increased by 25% compared to the same period last year, surpassing first-tier cities by 11 percentage points. Some remote areas such as Xinjiang’s Bole and Yunnan’s Pu’er have search volumes exceeding 50%, with these locations offering relatively lower accommodation and transportation costs, attracting budget-conscious travelers.
A resident of Hubei province, Shu Tao (pseudonym), expressed to the media, “With the current economic downturn and immense life pressures, many unemployed people have chosen to lie low.” He lamented, “Everyone is struggling, so who has the luxury to think about traveling? Those who do are mostly connected to the system. As ordinary citizens like us, who has the time or means to travel? Having a job would already be a blessing. At most, we can rest for a couple of days and explore nearby places. Traveling today means looking for affordable and cost-effective destinations.”
“Many people complain that business is bad and they are struggling to make ends meet,” Mr. Ye from Hunan (pseudonym) shared. “During the Labor Day holiday, I took my wife and children to my mother-in-law’s place, where there is a scenic spot nearby and we know people there, so we didn’t have to pay for tickets. People with fixed salaries are also facing reduced incomes, and some are not getting paid at all. Even salaries at the water plant have been cut in half, leaving them with no motivation to go out and enjoy leisure activities.”
Online forums often feature complaints about deteriorating health conditions after receiving the inactivated COVID-19 vaccine, with many experiencing weakened immune systems and increased susceptibility to illnesses. Some attribute this to the ongoing pandemic in China, leading to a fear of traveling to crowded places and potential infection risks.
Shu Tao mentioned, “Before the pandemic, I hadn’t caught a cold in seven to eight years. Since the pandemic, I get sick two to three times a year, and it feels different from before.” He continued, “Now a common cold comes with body aches all over, which I didn’t experience previously. Many friends share similar experiences, perhaps due to the vaccine. Therefore, many are opting for self-driving trips or visiting less crowded places nearby to relax and save money while easing their minds.”