According to data released by Meituan on May 2, the top 10 cities for scenic spot popularity on the first day of the May Day holiday were Shanghai, Beijing, Nanjing, Guangzhou, Zhengzhou, Xi'an, Changsha, Kaifeng, Hangzhou, and Chengdu. Young people continued to dominate the travel demographic, with the 20-30 age group accounting for nearly half of all travelers. A representative from Meituan's research institute noted that this year's May Day holiday has seen younger travelers exhibit characteristics of "in-depth, experiential, and one-stop" tourism, prioritizing both value for money and the depth and uniqueness of their travel experiences. The peak travel period is expected to occur from May 2 to May 3. The trend toward "deep experiential travel" has become increasingly prominent during this holiday period, with tourists favoring local-style dining and entertainment over superficial sightseeing. Meituan's data shows that bookings for small-group tours offering more localized experiences increased by 27% year-on-year during the holiday, while search interest for "local-recommended cuisine" surged by 122%. The official further explained that the convergence of spring breaks in many regions with the May Day holiday created an extended vacation period, leading to an earlier and more widespread travel boom, with both long-distance and short-haul trips gaining popularity. Family travel also saw a noticeable rise. Meituan's figures indicate that bookings for family-friendly scenic spots grew by over 15% year-on-year during the holiday, with theme parks and zoos being the top choices for family outings. The most popular family-friendly destinations included Shanghai Disney Resort, Universal Beijing Resort, Guangzhou Chimelong Safari Park, Zhuhai Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, Zhengzhou Yinji Animal Kingdom, Beijing Happy Valley, Nanjing Hongshan Forest Zoo, Wuhan Happy Valley, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Xuzhou Oulebao Ocean Polar World. On the first day of the holiday, several classic long-distance loop routes saw a significant increase in popularity. Searches for the "Qinghai-Gansu Loop" rose by 468% year-on-year, while the "Western Sichuan Loop" saw a 243% increase, and the "Xinjiang Ili Loop" grew by 79%. Driven by demand for "less crowding and higher quality experiences," smaller cities are attracting reverse holiday travel flows. Meituan data revealed that during the holiday, bookings for high-star hotels in fourth-tier and lower-tier cities increased by 34% year-on-year, with notable growth in destinations across southwestern, northwestern, and border regions. Top emerging destinations included Chongzuo, Hechi, and Baise in Guangxi; Qianxinan Buyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture and Anshun in Guizhou; Jiaozuo in Henan; Wuyuan in Jiangxi; Mangshi and Pu'er in Yunnan; and Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture in Xinjiang. Additionally, during this year's May Day holiday, Meituan launched a "1% off dual scenic spot ticket" promotion in 36 smaller cities, including Mangshi, Enshi, and Dunhuang, offering bundled discounts for key local attractions to facilitate convenient one-stop travel for tourists.
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