Graduation Trips: A Common Choice Among Today’s Young Generation
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Welcome to CD Voice. Keep exploring, keep learning. Let's do a deep dive today. Today we're plunging into something really fascinating, graduation journeys. Now this isn't just, you know, young people taking a quick trip. It's a massive trend growing fast, especially in China. And it weaves together ritual, real emotional significance, and even some practical aspects too. What exactly is fueling this huge wave of graduation travel?

Our sources suggest it's a compelling mix of things. There's this growing focus on self-identity for young people. Family dynamics are evolving. The pace of society seems different. And then there's the travel industry. They've strategically embraced what they call the graduation economy. Yeah, that industry response is key. But let's start with the meaning behind it. Okay. Well, one really compelling driver seems to be how

How these trips act as a kind of ritualized farewell. You know, travel really has become a central way for young people to mark these major life transitions. Think about college students right on the edge of the workforce or high schoolers getting ready for university. A trip offers something just fundamentally different than, say, a group photo or a farewell dinner. Definitely. Much more personal. Exactly. More personal space, a chance for real emotional release.

and what our sources are calling a psychological reset, just changing your environment, slowing down. It helps graduates reflect on what they've achieved and mentally prep for what's next.

Which can be exciting, but also kind of daunting. And it fits so perfectly with what we see as this gap period phenomenon. Yeah, the gap period. Tell us more about that. Well, there's this unique window, right, between graduation itself and whatever comes next, starting a job, going to uni. It's short, maybe, but incredibly flexible. You're free from academic pressure, finally. Right.

Right. The exams are over. Exactly. And you're not yet tied down by new responsibilities. So it's just this ideal time to travel. And for high school grads especially, the sources point to them using this time with friends or even family right after those final exams. It's a powerful way to just unwind, decompress, and get that emotional support you need navigating the shift from being a teenager to, well, adulthood. ♪

Okay, so friends are key. That makes sense. But you mentioned family. There's an interesting trend there too, isn't there? This evolving family involvement. That's right. It's not just friends anymore. Our material clearly shows more graduates, particularly those finishing high school, are actually choosing to travel with their parents. And is that...

OK. Or is it an obligation? No, what's really intriguing is that it seems genuinely beneficial. These trips apparently enhance family communication. They create shared experiences to mark this big growth moment together. So it's like a new kind of bonding. Pretty much. Yeah. A new form of intergenerational bonding. Yeah.

And it probably reflects deeper changes in how modern families connect, you know, the structure and intimacy. It adds a really rich layer to what these journeys mean. So the family is getting involved. Students want this reset. But I bet the tourism industry isn't just watching from the sidelines. Are they actively...

like pushing this. Oh, absolutely. You can't ignore the tourism industry's tailored response. It's been pivotal. It's helped normalize and frankly, significantly expand this whole trend. So what are they doing? Well, tourism platforms, hotels, scenic spots, they've proactively rolled out specific deals for graduates. Thanks, student discounts or free entry. If you show your exam ID, things designed to lower the barrier to entry and just

boost interest. Makes sense. And airlines are in on it, too. They're adding flights between popular cities, especially around June and July, right when the demand surges. Plus, some cities are even promoting their local culture through special college student travel plans. So, yeah, the industry's active participation has definitely amplified the scale and reach of graduation travel.

Okay, this next bit I find really interesting. Once they decide to go, where are these graduates actually heading? Because the sources say it's not like the old days where maybe everyone went to the same couple of famous places. Today's graduates seem to be exploring a much wider range of locations. They're really weighing things like cultural appeal, the overall vibe, the whole experience. That being said, classic cities remain popular. Places like Beijing, Nanjing, Chengdu, Shanhangzhu.

They're still top picks. The big names. And it makes sense, right? These cities offer super convenient transport, deep history, lots of attractions packed together. They provide that cultural depth maybe students are looking for before the next chapter. Yeah, that connection to what they've studied. Exactly. Visiting these textbook cities, it's like bridging academic memories with real world stuff.

So you see activities like museum visits, thoughtful walks in historic areas, taking photos of architecture. It's kind of reflective travel. Right. The plastics definitely still draw people in. But you mentioned a shift. What else is catching their eye beyond those well-worn paths? Well, what the sources really highlight is this growing interest in lesser known, slower paced cities. Like where? We're seeing places like Dali and Tengchong in Yunnan.

Weihai in Shandong, Huzhou in Zhejiang, places like that gaining real traction. And what's the appeal there? What do they have in common? Usually it's stunning natural beauty, a genuinely relaxed rhythm of life, rich local culture, and often lower travel costs too. Ah, the budget factor. Definitely part of it. And young travelers go into these spots. They often choose longer stays. They deliberately skip the rigid itineraries. Instead, they're doing really immersive things, walking through local markets, maybe taking a craft class.

exploring, you know, intangible heritage sites. Exactly. That's a clear preference emerging. And it's not just domestic travel anymore, is it? I saw something in the sources, the QNAR 2025 report. Right. Overseas travel within reach. That's surged.

largely thanks to new visa-free agreements making it easier. The data looked pretty compelling. Outbound flight prices in June are like 10% cheaper than July, August. Yeah, which is definitely encouraging earlier travel, getting ahead of the peak season. And international hotel bookings are up over 60% year on year, covering almost 1,800 cities worldwide. That's huge. It is huge. Now, obviously, overseas trips need more planning, more budget. Sure. But the payoff is potentially reduced

Richer cross-cultural experiences, maybe a stronger sense of personal growth. It seems like a trade-off many are willing to make. How are graduates actually doing these trips? How are they traveling? It sounds like they're really breaking away from traditional package tours. Completely. Our sources point to a few key things. Freedom, following their specific interests, and using a smart mix of strategies. And it seems pretty clear that self-guided travel is the new norm. It's all right.

Overwhelmingly so. Most graduates are planning their own trips now. They handle the bookings, map out the routes, set their own pace. Where are they getting their ideas? Lots of places. Social platforms like Shang-Chi, BilibiliZo, Doin for Inspiration.

Then they use various apps for the logistics, comparing prices. Right. Makes sense. And it really highlights this deep desire for personalized experiences. For them, a good trip isn't just defined by the destination anymore. It's about how well it fits their rhythm, their expectations. Yeah, I can imagine. It feels like a totally different mindset from...

maybe how things used to be done. Quite a shift. It really is. And it ties into why they travel this idea of passion over postcards. The motivation isn't just some vague, I want to see the world. It's becoming intensely interest-driven. Like what? Give me an example. Well, people literally flying to a city just for a concert. Right. Or organizing an entire trip around a specific exhibition they want to see, or a food trail, or maybe a challenging hike. Okay, so the trip serves a hobby, almost. Exactly. Graduation trips are becoming podcasts.

part of the lifestyle itself. It's not just saying goodbye to one phase. It's also an attempt and expression of lifestyle. When travel gets so deeply woven into your hobbies, it's more than just leisure, isn't it? It becomes a real practice of like self-identification. And who are they traveling with? Is it all solo now or? It's a mix. Traveling in pairs or small groups, maybe two or three people. That's still very common. But

But the sources definitely note that solo and group travel coexist and solo travel is increasing. Why solo do you think? Probably the flexibility it offers and maybe more importantly, more space for introspection, for processing everything. Right. We're also seeing these mixed models. Someone might start a trip alone and plan to meet friends later or combine solo exploring with maybe a short guided tour for part of it. So balancing independence and connection. But all this self-planning, does it lead to more stress?

Or are they just really good at it? Maybe a bit of both. But it speaks to how adaptable they are. Logistically, they have flexible choices in transport and accommodation. High-speed rail, still the top choice for domestic travel, especially for those medium distances. Efficient. Very. For longer trips or international ones, they're often combining flights and trains, trying to optimize both cost and efficiency.

Smart planning. And where are they staying? Still hostels? Sometimes, but there's a shift. Many opt for mid-range hotels seeking comfort and safety, or increasingly these design forward homestays.

They offer a unique vibe, maybe more social interaction. And what's really insightful is they look for features like shared kitchens or places near local food markets. It shows they want to deepen their connection with the place. Interesting. So essentially, these are true DIY journeys. The focus is on self-expression, being adaptable, and getting those deeply immersive experiences. Planning is part of the adventure now. Okay, so putting it all together, a great trip isn't just about pretty views or cheap prices anymore.

Given everything we've talked about, what really drives the experience for these young travelers? What makes a trip successful in their eyes? Yeah, the sources suggest it really comes down to how the trip feels. It's emotional weight. Does it deliver on multiple levels? Comfort, engagement, social value, personal growth. And a key part of that seems to be value for money, not just low cost.

Can you unpack that? Right. It's not about being frugal just for the sake of it. They're looking for the absolute best experience they can get within their budget. For our consumers. Definitely. They're carefully weighing cost against service, convenience, and just plain enjoyment. So, for instance, maybe they'll travel during off-peak times to avoid higher prices and crowds. That's strategic. Makes sense. Or they'll balance spending.

Maybe choose a slightly cheaper homestay, but then splurge on a really distinctive, high-quality meal. It's rational. It's pragmatic. They want to maximize the meaningful feelings and memories they get for their money. It's all about smart spending to maximize the experience.

And tied into that feeling is this emphasis on a sense of ceremony. Ceremony? How so? Well, remember, at its heart, graduation travel is about closure. It's a celebration. So young people are actively finding ways to imbue their trips with meaning.

Maybe they create vlogs documenting it all or keep handwritten journals. Ah, like tangible memories. Exactly. Or they engage in symbolic activities. It could be a special meal with friends, a midnight walk somewhere meaningful, completing a specific item on their travel bucket list together. These aren't just random things. They become part of the trip's emotional story, making it truly memorable and significant. It's about marking the moment. ♪

And this connects to something else you mentioned, participation over sightseeing. Yes, absolutely. They don't just want to be passive observers watching from the sideline. Want to get involved. Precisely. The sources show a strong preference for things like hands-on workshops, maybe volunteering for a short time, or really exploring local crafts and communities up close. These immersive experiences make them feel genuinely connected to the place. It transforms the trip into something they've truly lived.

not just something they observed. They want to be part of it. And of course, we have to talk about social media. In this era, travel is also a powerful act of expression through sharing. Right. Documenting everything. Yeah. Many are shooting short videos, creating really nice graphic content to share what they're doing. Every little story, every small success or interesting moment on the journey, it's treated as a fragment of themselves that they're eager to put out there.

so the sharing is part of the experience itself definitely these digital travel fragments do more than just preserve memories they function as personal statements in the online world

It adds this whole other layer of value, content output, social display. It's about building and sharing their personal narrative online. But even with all this adventure and self-expression, basic comfort still matters. Right? Oh, for sure. Comfort and seamless experience remain incredibly important. Convenience is still key. Like what kind of things? Clean places to stay, reliable Wi-Fi that's crucial. Non-negotiable.

Pretty much. Access to maybe self-service laundry, smooth local transport, so getting around isn't a headache. And because of this, many prefer booking platforms that have transparent reviews from other travelers. And they're often willing to pay just a little bit more if it means a better, smoother overall experience. It's about optimizing the journey, not roughing it unnecessarily. ♪

So if we try to wrap this all up, these graduation trips are booming not just because they represent freedom, this chance to go out and see things.

What's really compelling, I think, is how they meet the comprehensive needs of young people today across so many dimensions. Emotional needs, social needs, personal growth, even consumption patterns. It's just holistic. It really is. It's moved beyond just being a simple celebration. It's become this real, active, self-driven life practice. They're genuinely taking the reins on how they model these major transitions. So thinking about all this, what stands out to we, you, our listener, about this trend?

And how might this really deep desire for personal growth, for meaningful transitions, how might that shape other journeys in your own life, even ones that aren't about travel? Maybe think about how that kind of intentionality in celebrating life stages could apply more broadly. Perhaps it's more than just a trip. Maybe it's a kind of blueprint for living more purposefully through life's changes. Thank you for joining us. Remember to subscribe and share this podcast with your friends. Stay curious and keep exploring. See you next time.