Jakarta, ThedailyID — Traveling abroad may no longer feel exciting enough for some wealthy tourists. A travel platform in China is now offering something far more unusual, a trip to space.
Trip.com has listed a suborbital space tourism package priced at 5.1 million yuan, or about $795,000. The six-day package is offered with Virgin Galactic and targets high-spending travelers in China.
The package is marketed through HHtravel, a Trip.com subsidiary that specializes in luxury and exclusive travel. Travelers must complete three days of training at Spaceport America near Las Cruces, New Mexico.
On the fifth day, participants are scheduled to board a Virgin Galactic spacecraft. The vehicle launches from a carrier aircraft before beginning its suborbital flight.
The flight lasts around 90 minutes. During the journey, passengers can experience several minutes of weightlessness and see the curvature of Earth.
The $795,000 package covers pre-flight training, ground transportation, luxury accommodation in the United States, a custom-made spacesuit, and a recording of the flight.
However, the package does not include round-trip airfare to the United States. Special spaceflight insurance and visa costs are also excluded.
Trip.com began listing the package in mid-September. It quickly attracted attention on Chinese social media, where users questioned the cost and safety of commercial spaceflight.
Industry analysts say the potential market remains extremely limited. “This product targets a very niche global segment,” Wei Changren, founder of tourism finance news platform btiii.com, told The Straits Times.
Wei said buyers need excellent physical health, high risk tolerance, and substantial liquid wealth. Beijing-based extreme sports enthusiast Li Xing also viewed the trip as a rare adventure for people without professional astronaut training.
“If I were rich enough, I would sign up for the trip, but the price is too expensive for me,” Li said.
Wei believes space tourism could eventually become more affordable. China has spent decades developing rocket-launch technology and space exploration capabilities.
Meanwhile, Beijing-based technology startup InterstellOr announced plans in 2026 to launch suborbital tourism flights in 2028. The company focuses on commercial crewed spacecraft research.
InterstellOr senior manager Chen Xu said passenger requirements would be less strict than those for professional astronauts. Applicants must not have cardiovascular disease risks or movement disorders, while their vestibular and circulatory functions must remain normal.
Chen added that pre-flight training aims to prepare qualified space tourists. It is not designed as an elimination competition.
