“Even under current financial pressures, the Nielsen China Outbound Travel Monitor shows that the Chinese travel market continues to boom and is likely to grow further.  The interest lies not only among the experienced traveler, but also among novice travelers.  This should serve as a boost of confidence to the travel industry,” said Dr. Grace Pan, Head of Travel and Leisure Research with Nielsen China.

Short haul trips, such as those to Hong Kong (the most mentioned place to visit), Macau or Taiwan, were the most popular, with more than 60 percent of travelers intending to visit those destinations.  Thanks to a recent agreement that allows Mainland Chinese to travel to Taiwan in groups, Taiwan showed the greatest increase in interest.  In 2007, just three percent of respondents said they planned to visit Taiwan.

“Historic ties with Taiwan – a destination that has not been an option for many years – make it a destination of much interest to Mainland Chinese, and we expect to see tremendous growth potential for travel to Taiwan in the years to come,” said Dr. Pan.

Top Planned Destination Countries

* Note: multiple answers allowed

According to the Nielsen India Outbound Travel Monitor 2008, most international travelers from India are well-educated urbanites.  Countries in Asia — Singapore (24% of Indians), Dubai, Australia, and Malaysia (17% of Indians, respectively) — are the most popular destinations for India’s new travel elite. 

Overall, Asian destinations account for 72% of international leisure trips and 63% of business trips originating in India, Nielsen reported.  In comparison, travel to Europe accounts for just 18% of Indian travelers’ business trips and 14% of pleasure trips.

Of those Indians who travel internationally, 64% named sightseeing as the main purpose of their trip, while 47% reported they travel abroad to explore new countries.  Another 25% of those surveyed said they travel abroad to relieve stress, to have a good time, or to visit family and friends.

The Nielsen Indian Outbound Travel Monitor conducts face-to-face interviews with 2,000 men and women, ages 18 and older, who have traveled outside of India in the last twelve months.

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