TONGCHENGTRAVEL(00780): The opening of the Duku Highway has ignited the tourism boom in Xinjiang, with a 166% increase in search volume compared to the previous month.

On June 1st, the Duku Highway, known as "the most beautiful highway in China," officially reopened for full traffic, marking the beginning of the peak self-driving season in Xinjiang. The latest platform data from TONGCHENGTRAVEL (00780) shows that, stimulated by the news of the road reopening, the search volume for the keyword "Duku Highway" increased by 166% compared to the previous month. With the reopening of the road, various booking data in the Xinjiang tourism market has significantly increased. TONGCHENGTRAVEL data shows that flight ticket bookings to Urumqi Diwopu International Airport, Yining International Airport, and Kuqa Guizi Airport in June have all increased by over 30% compared to last year. The top 10 source provinces outside of Xinjiang are Sichuan, Henan, Guangdong, Beijing, Shaanxi, Gansu, Shandong, Shanghai, Zhejiang, and Chongqing, indicating a significant trend of inter-provincial travel and demonstrating the strong appeal of the Duku Highway reopening nationwide. The Duku Highway has a significant stimulating effect on regional cultural and tourism consumption. TONGCHENGTRAVEL data shows that in terms of scenic spots, ticket bookings for attractions like Nalati Grassland have increased by 37% compared to last year, while ticket bookings for the Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon have increased by 32%, and ticket bookings for Bayinbuluke Grassland have increased by 28%. Core attractions like Tumen Grand Canyon, Karajun Grassland, and Dushanzi Grand Canyon have all seen ticket booking increases of over 20%. In terms of accommodations, demand for lodging in destinations along the Ili, Bayingolin, and Kuqa regions has significantly increased. As of June 1st, bookings for the past month have increased by over 20% compared to last year, with some boutique inns already fully booked in the first week of June. Many tourists have made reservations 5-10 days in advance to ensure a smooth arrival at their lodging during restricted travel times. At the same time, TONGCHENGTRAVEL data shows that as of June 1st, SUV and off-road vehicle rental orders in Xinjiang have increased by 25% compared to last year. Tourists tend to choose vehicles with stronger performance to navigate the challenging road conditions and tight schedules of the Duku Highway, ensuring a successful crossing within the designated time. The TONGCHENGTRAVEL Research Institute analysis suggests that the reopening of the Duku Highway has become a key driver for summer self-driving tours in Xinjiang, with its impact extending beyond the road itself to the surrounding destinations, demonstrating a significant boost in tourism. Although the night-time travel restrictions pose higher demands on daily itinerary planning, they also encourage tourists to slow down, deeply experience the scenery along the road, and actually increase overnight stays and per capita consumption. It is expected that the Duku Highway will remain in high demand for the next one to two months, and it is recommended for tourists to lock in vehicles and accommodations early through the platform.