Safety perceptions among Chinese travellers are improving, but concerns about South-east Asia persist. Thailand, a popular destination, is seen as “safe” by 19 per cent of respondents in a Dragon Trail International (DTI) poll from April 2025, with 30 per cent still “unsure”.
During the recent DTI webinar, Sienna Parulis-Cook, marketing and communications director, noted that “first-time travellers and those travelling with families go to Singapore instead”.
Singapore’s safety perception stands at 79 per cent, down from 81 per cent in September 2024, ranking behind Hong Kong (92 per cent) and ahead of Switzerland (67 per cent). The three South-east Asian countries perceived as least safe are Cambodia (15 per cent), Thailand (19 per cent), and Vietnam (22 per cent).
Key factors influencing safety perceptions include Chinese authorities’ travel safety assessments (54 per cent), local safety initiatives (51 per cent), and good medical services (28 per cent).
DTI’s survey of 1,022 respondents also found that information from travel agents was the least influential, with just eight per cent citing it. Information from friends or family was more influential at 15 per cent.
Parulis-Cook highlighted that no “big incidents” have occurred since the January kidnapping of a Chinese actor in Bangkok, though she acknowledged that Thailand and its neighbours are addressing safety concerns.
DTI’s Chinese Travel Sentiment & Plans for 2025 report coincided with the five-day May Day holiday. Parulis-Cook said those who took leave on April 25 enjoyed an extended holiday and potentially travelled longhaul.
OTA findings shared during the webinar show the top 10 outbound destinations, as of April 15, are Seoul, Osaka, Tokyo, Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Jeju, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hanoi. Tuniu reported outbound trips accounted for 28 per cent of May holiday bookings, with 60 per cent booking group travel.
Apart from Hong Kong and Macau, popular outbound destinations include Japan, the Maldives, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Russia, and New Zealand.
Airbnb reported searches for the Labour Day period are twice as high as last year. Popular destinations include Japan, Italy, France, New Zealand, Spain, South Korea, Thailand, the US, the UK, and Indonesia. The accommodation platform added that cultural events in Japan and outdoor activities in Europe are particularly popular.
