Chinese travelers have become big consumers of shared accommodation overseas, with their footprint extending from Asia to the United States, Europe and Australia. Travelers on sightseeing and leisure tours are the main consumers, and most of them travel with friends and families. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Airbnb tracked 1.6 million users abroad by Chinese travelers last year, up 142 percent over the previous year.

Those who were born in the 1980s and 1990s account for 83 percent of all users.

Travelers on sightseeing and leisure tours are the main sharing accommodation consumers, and most of them travel with friends and families, the report says.

Travel periods span four to seven days.

More meaningful social interactions with locals and unique experiences, as well as reduced costs that allow travelers to enjoy destinations and tourism activities that would otherwise be out of reach because of the cost were the major reasons cited for Chinese traveler's choosing of shared accommodation.

Sharing accommodation has helped to stimulate tourism spending, utilize idle resources and boost rural development and cultural exchanges, the report say.

The top overseas destinations for shared travel include Japan, the United States, Thailand, South Korea, Australia and Italy.