(Yicai) March 8 -- Women are the primary driving force of China’s cultural and tourism consumption, according to recent reports published by domestic online travel platforms.

Female travelers had an average travel expenditure nearly 8 percent higher than men travelers in the year ended Feb. 20, according to a report by leading Chinese booking platform Trip.Com. Middle-aged women accounted for over 62 percent of the total, while younger women born after the 1990s accounted for nearly 29 percent.

The demographic group of women aged over 50 years old saw the fastest increase in travel interest, with about 206 percent more women over 50 booking holidays, the report showed. They preferred self-driving, cruise, or long-term stay travel. Moreover, they are now more willing to engage in light sports activities, such as hiking, cycling, camping, climbing, and skiing.

In terms of group vacations, nearly 68 percent of women traveled with their parents, in comparison with 32 percent of men, according to the report.

Women born in the 1980s and 1990s account for 38 percent and 30 percent, respectively, of all female travelers because they have higher income with economic independence and willingness to travel and consume than men of the same age, according to a report by online travel platform Tuniu.

Bookings for over two people made by female users made up 53 percent of the total, online travel agency Tongcheng Travel said. The proportion of family trip bookings made by female users was around 54 percent.

More and more women are choosing to travel on their own. According to data from Qunar.Com, another Chinese online travel agency, the proportion of female users booking solo trips to the total increased to 11 percent so far this year from 6 percent in 2019. Women born in the 1990s and 2000s account for 55 percent of the total solo female travelers.

The report from Tongcheng also showed that female users are more interested in entertainment products, including e-sports events, concerts, and movies, compared to male users.

Editor: Futura Costaglione