The Hurun Report recently published The Chinese Luxury Traveler 2015, for the fourth consecutive year. The report revealed the features of Chinese traveling enthusiasts, including their decision-making process, social media habit, travel trend, sales and gifting preference.

Here are top ten highlights from The Chinese Luxury Traveler 2015.

1. More foreign travels – average traveling expense for past year

More than 200,000 Chinese traveling enthusiasts traveled to different countries for four times and 33 days on average. For the data 33 days, leisure travels are increased by 10% to 20 days, business 13 days. Last year, the total population of off-boarder travelers were 116 million, up by 17.8%, on basis of China Tourism Academy.

2. Stronger presentation of traveling agencies – DIY travelers fewer than 30%

Traveling agencies processed approximately a half of total hotel bookings. China’s Top 12 Agencies for Mainland-based Luxurious Foreign Travels include 8 Continents, Wild China*, Diadema, HH Travel, My Tour, Magic Travel*, Ctrip, Sinbad Travel*, Zanadu, CITS, CTS and CYTS.

American Express performed best in areas of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Top 5 Agencies for Hong Kong-based Luxurious Foreign Travels include Wincastle Travel, Cathy Pacific Travel, American Express, Swire Travel and Westminster Travel.

Top 5 Agencies for Macaw-based Luxurious Foreign Travels are Macaw CYTS, Macaw CITS, Macaw CTS, Hong Thai Travel and American Express.

Top 5 Agencies for Taiwan-based Luxurious Foreign Travels are Asuka Travel, Royal Jetway Express, American Express, ITIS and Lion Travel.

Mr. Hu Run said, “the list is formed on basis of surveys on over 70 managers of luxury hotels globally, which performed by ILTM, GHC Asia famed for public relations in luxury travels in Asia, and Hurun. It’s the first time we created the lists of the most popular agencies in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan areas. “

3. Destinations

South Pole traveling is increasingly popular. According to the survey, the most impressive and frequently visited destination among all is South Pole. The main reason appeals to 49% travel enthusiasts is spectacular natural views, seconded by rare animals and vegetation, 19%, and travel surprise, 17%. Additionally, cruise tour is a hit last year. Maldives is particularly attractive to Chinese rich people, and Australia, the top destination for all the riches, second by France, without any surprise.

Great Britain and Italy are the two countries increasingly attracted to travelers, in sharp contrast with German and Swiss that see a drop in interested travelers. Moreover, exotic destinations like Hawaii and Dubai enjoy the popularity among rich people in recent two years, while Sanya and Tibet are of great appeal among all China attractions. For those traveling enthusiasts, they made traveling decisions on foreseeable creative experience. Furthermore, medical tour is a hot topic nowadays. 60% Chinese rich people have taken medical tours before.

Pros and Cons of Top 5 Destinations. Travelers usually visited United States of America for business and family purposes, and gave a low rating to food. Japan is the primary choice for shopping and earns the highest food rating. Both France and Great Britain attract a great number of travelers for shopping and business, while Great Britain rated higher than France in food. For Australia, it is the absolute right choice for leisure and holidays, in the meanwhile travelers rarely visited the country for business, food, family or shopping.

Also read: Understanding Chinese Luxury Travelers

GBTA expects China to continue to grow its domestic business travel market much more rapidly than the other countries in the world with estimated spending growth of 14.2% in 2015 and 12.1% in 2016. China is poised to overtake the U.S. as the number one business travel market in the world.

According to the report of GBTA, China is to surpass the U.S. in spending by 2017 considering their current and estimated growth in business travel market.

China’s economic growth projections in the near term remain robust, which bode well for a strong business travel market, growing more rapidly than the other major markets globally,

said Stanford Lin, Vice President and Head of Products at Visa China.

Visa is committed to working with financial institutions and merchant partners to offer value-add benefits that help companies and business travelers better manage their travel expenses.

Outbound tourism is popular among Chinese travelers. Some European airlines promote cheap tickets to attract travelers to Europe according to CNN’s report.

Japan has also added some special travel trains with delicious food supply to attract travelers. Besides, Japan’s luxury train can provide luxury goods and food to stimulate travelers’ consumption home and abroad according to Nikkei Asian Review. Shoppers from China spent 18% more on Tax Free Shopping in 2014 compared to 2013 according to Global Blue.

Australia is the top luxury travel destination, followed by France. Maldives shoots into third place. UK back into the Top 10.

China has been the largest market for Germany’s domestic travel in Asian. During Chinese year period, German’s merchants promoted various events to attract Chinese travelers. See more about Chinese New Year Traveler Insights here.

Oxford research report shows China and other new markets will promote global travel industry into a prosperous stage in 10 years.

Also read: China Inbound Travelers in 2014

According to Hurun Chinese Luxury Consumer Survey 2015, Chinese luxury travelers on average go on business trip for eight days a month and the super rich are away for 11 days a month. And they also take 8 and 12 days of holiday respectively, one more than last year.

Chinese New Year is preferred time to travel, followed by October Golden Week and the summer holidays. The Peninsula Hotel replaced the Shangri-La as China’s preferred hotel brand; the Mandarin Oriental improved the fastest, rising to second place. Aman Resorts is named Best Luxury Boutique Hotel Brand in Hurun Best of the Best Awards 2015.

Australia is the top luxury travel destination, followed by France. Maldives shoots into third place. UK back into the Top 10.

↑ ranked higher than last year ↓ ranked lower than last year   * New entry this year

The same survey also unveiled that in China gift-giving market, travel gift vouchers continued to show a strong rise for the third year. Travel retail continues to change the dynamics of luxury in China, with 7 out of 10 luxury goods bought by Chinese now being bought overseas.

Read more: 74% Chinese Rural Residents Willing to Travel in 2014