Mother-Daughter Escapes Ignite China’s Mother’s Day Travel Surge

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On Mother’s Day, held on May 10, the travel industry experienced a notable surge, driven by increased participation from young adults taking trips with their mothers, the rising trend of “girls’ trips” among women in their middle ages, and a growing travel appetite among older women. This upswing reflects the expanding financial influence of female travelers across different ages.

Data from major travel platforms indicated that bookings by young travelers accompanying their mothers increased by over 20 percent during the holiday weekend. Women between 31 and 50 years old emerged as a primary demographic, making up more than 55 percent of hotel reservations made by women.

Furthermore, there was a significant rise in bookings by individuals in their 20s and 30s seeking trips for women in their 50s between May 9 and 10, with luxury accommodations seeing the most rapid growth. Female travelers also dominated hotel clientele during this period and tended to spend about 20 percent more on average than their male counterparts.

Mother’s Day is also increasingly seen as an opportunity for women to embark on trips with friends. Reports from a Beijing-based travel platform showed a clear uptick in bookings by women over 40 for group trips involving two or more female travelers. The most favored destinations for these “girls’ trips” included major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Xi’an, Nanjing, Wuhan, and Hangzhou.

Travel interest among older women is rapidly accelerating. Compared to younger mothers, women over 50 tend to prefer natural landscapes and cultural sites. With more flexible schedules, many are taking advantage of off-peak timings to enjoy longer, more immersive travel experiences.

For older mothers traveling during the holiday, about 44 percent opted for long-distance domestic trips, while 39 percent traveled abroad, according to an online travel agency. Popular international destinations included Thailand, France, Italy, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Ireland. Unlike their younger counterparts, who often prefer independent travel, older women are more inclined to join organized group tours.

This Mother’s Day turned a typically quieter period following the Labor Day holiday into a robust off-peak travel season, especially for older travelers with more available free time. Additionally, many trips booked by children for their mothers contributed to a significant increase in consumer spending over the weekend, revitalizing the tourism sector during this period.