A usage of travel in English. . .

Travel is a meaningless word, which means travel.

This year is the year of tourism.

This year, an unprecedented number of people in China will spend time traveling with family and friends.

In fact, this year has nothing to do with travel. Just remember that time elements like this year are very flexible and can be placed anywhere in the sentence. For example, the following four sentences have exactly the same meaning as you:

This year, an unprecedented number of China people will travel and spend time with family and friends.

This year, an unprecedented number of China people will travel and spend time with their families and friends.

This year, an unprecedented number of China people will travel and spend time with family and friends.

An unprecedented number of China people will spend time with their families and friends this year.