Tourist trains are gaining popularity, especially among seniors, as search volumes for dedicated travel options have surged following China's initiatives to make these trains more accessible. A notable guideline, issued on February 11, 2024, by various governmental bodies, including the Ministry of Commerce and the China State Railway Group Co Ltd., aims to refurbish tourist trains to cater to the elderly demographic more effectively.
Recent data from Tongcheng Travel, a leading online travel agency, indicates remarkable growth; during the week surrounding this guideline, search volumes for travel products related to tourist trains more than tripled compared to the same period last year. The firm noted, "Tourist trains have become one of the most popular travel products among seniors, with almost 80 percent of bookings made by consumers aged 60 and above."
Several scenic routes proving particularly attractive include trains linking Gansu province with the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, and Heilongjiang province with Inner Mongolia, alongside the ambitious China-Laos Railway. Data reveals the number of operational tourist trains has reached 1,860, which marks nearly a 50 percent increase from pre-pandemic levels.
Li Zhun, Senior Researcher at Tongcheng Research Institute, detailed the appeal of tourist trains, stating, "Compared with traditional modes of travel, tourist trains are more comfortable and they satisfy traveler demand for catering, accommodation, transportation, and sightseeing, making them more friendly to senior travelers.” With plans positioned to adapt these services, the country is gearing up to meet rising demand.
Looking toward the future, Li added, “The next few years will see increased demand for cultural and travel products oriented toward seniors. While the quantity of tourist train offerings is set to expand, there's still much work to be done to improve service and operational quality.” This is particularly pressing as the consumer base evolves and more travel options become available.
With domestic tourism gradually returning to normalcy post the Spring Festival holiday, the travel market is opening up for seniors seeking lower prices during off-peak periods. Following the holiday, Tongcheng Travel has reported a notable rise in inquiries from travelers aged between 55 and 70. Compared with younger generations like students or office workers, senior travelers enjoy greater flexibility to choose their travel times, enabling them to avoid traditionally overcrowded periods.
Notably, popular destinations favored by the older travel demographic during off-seasons include Tokyo, Osaka, and Sapporo in Japan, alongside cities such as Seoul, Bangkok, and Singapore. Exploring Mediterranean cruises has also gained traction among this group, as highlighted by Tongcheng's data.
This developing trend unveils not only the shifting tastes among seniors but also indicates broader societal trends where travel is becoming more inclusive. The anticipated improvements to tourist trains will likely reinforce this trend, as the industry seeks parallels with successful models like luxury cruising, inherently more appealing to the aging population.
Today's changes herald significant ramifications for how senior travelers will experience China’s vast scenic offerings. With continued interest from the demographic and targeted improvements from rail operators, tourist trains promise to transform travel experiences for this ever-growing market.