High-income families splurge on luxury, children-oriented trips
C h i n a ’s h i g h - i n c o m e f a m i l i e s take their kids on holiday at least t w i c e a y e a r, w i t h e a c h f a m i l y member spending 120,000 yuan to 150,000 yuan ($17,400 to $21,800) on each trip, according to a report released by travel website HHtravel last week.
The report is based on booking data from the website.
HHtravel focuses on luxury travel planning and related services. You Jinzhang, general manager of HHtravel, said his company targets wealthy people with at least 10 million yuan in assets each.
“With a growing high-income group and changes in lifestyles in China, the luxur y travel market is entering an e xplosive stage,” You said.
The report found that 65 percent of high-income families tend to take their children aged 5 to 12 on luxury travel experiences.
In 4 0 p e r c e n t o f t h e c a s e s , both of the parents participate in the trips, while in 36 percent of respondent families, mothers or fathers opt to travel with their kids individually.
High-income families cared most about whether the itineraries were specially designed for children and met their needs. Getting close to nature, having adventures and taking island tours were some of the popular experiences designed for family trips.
Outdoor activities, including cycling, hiking, hunting and hot air balloon rides were tourists’ f av o r i t e s , f o l l o w e d b y v i s i t s t o renowned educational institutes such as Oxford and Cambridge in the United Kingdom, the report said.
The top 10 most popular longhaul destinations included New Zealand, Australia, Kenya, Peru and Switzerland, where children can experience nature, watch little penguins, go camping on African grasslands and taste British-style afternoon tea.
Islands such as Fiji, the Maldives and Bali in Indonesia were among the most favorable shorthaul attractions.
When it comes to accommodation, high-income families preferred holiday resor t villages, which provide parent-child interactive experiences, children’s food and babysitting services.
Most of the luxury restaurants those families chose are located on islands.
Fo r i n s t a n c e , S o n e v a Fu s h i Resort in the Maldives features a swimming pool, children’s club, open-air theater, library and music room. Parents can also observe the stars, have a picnic, learn to cook and go kayaking with their kids.
The report said high-income families go traveling at least twice a year. More than 60 percent of the trips were arranged during summer vacation or in flexible time periods.
Of the respondents, 53 percent choose to travel for six to 10 days on each family trip, which costs each of them 120,000 yuan to 150,000 yuan.
HHtravel, a subsidiary of China’s online travel agenc y Ctrip, founded in 2012, offers business class cabins, high-end restaurants, Michelin-star food and tour groups with no more than six tourists, according to its official website.
A f i v e - d a y t r i p t o Ja p a n , f o r instance, costs more than 50,000 yuan on HHtravel, which is about 10 times higher than that on Ctrip. Key findings
Most popular hotels:
Capella Singapore; Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort; Mandarin Oriental, Sanya; One&Only Hayman Island Great Barrier Reef; Risonare Tomamu; Six Senses Samui; Soneva Fushi; and The Villas at Ayana Resort Considerations for hotel choice: Safety; extra beds; enhanced interactive experiences; children’s entertainment facilities; nearby attractions; location; professional childcare services; children’s toiletries; and children’s meals Popular experiences designed for family trips: Outdoor activities; trips to renowned universities and colleges; museum tours; parks; hunting trips; culinary experiences; handicraft lessons; and arts and drama
Hyatt on the Bund has appointed Mark Foxwell as its new general manager.
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Kempinski Hotels celebrated its 120th anniversary with a gala night named Ignite the Night worldwide on April 8, delivering rich experiences to its guests. Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center also staged a series of events to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the established luxury European hospitality brand’s presence in China. One of them is the Kempinski Travel in Style Competition, which kicked off that day and offers a chance to win a 10-night trip for two people in three Kempinski hotels, including flights, limousine transfers and suite accommodation.
JOYS OF SPRING
The Ritz-Carlton, Beijing will organize a fun Easter Egg Hunt in its garden on Sunday, where young participants can also create paintings on eggs and knead plasticine with artists from Tosee Art Education. A clown play will also give kids a special treat. The hotel’s Aroma restaurant will offer a themed brunch, starting from 618 yuan ($90). The brunch is half price for children aged between 6 and 12 years old, and is free for those younger than 6 years old. 010-5908-8161
Marco Polo Hotel Wuhan in Hubei province held a tea-processing demonstration in early April, where local farms showcased their traditional expertise in stir-drying tea AccorHotels announced the opening of Grand Mercure Zhengzhou West on March 28, the first hotel under the Grand Mercure brand to debut in Central China’s Henan province. The brand has been operating in the Asia-Pacific region for almost 20 years and has uniquely adapted to each market.
CULINARY DELIGHT
Regent Beijing is offering a new menu for an Italian feast that focuses on coastal flavors as well as ingredients from the Tuscan region, with highlights including a tuna and fennel salad, Icelandic cod and herb-marinated pork chops. The four-course menu of fresh and light dishes, created using expert techniques, is priced at 172 yuan ($25). 010-8522-1888
Chef D’Antonio Saverio at Prego, a multi award-winning Italian restaurant at the Westin Bund Center Shanghai, is offering a new menu featuring trattoria style dishes. The menu is highlighted with Italian favorites from the country’s key culinary areas, including San Daniele ham from Udine, Friuli; paccheri with gurnard fish from Terracina, Lazio and many more. 021-6335-1888 Ext 7541
KITE PERFORMANCE
Twenty-one teams from 18 countries participated in the first Yuantuojiao Trophy International Kite Performance staged in the Hengda Venice Resort in Qidong, Jiangsu province, earlier this month. Gary Ge, general manager of the hotel, and government officials of the host city attended the opening ceremony.