Tourism spending crosses $25 billion; cultural sites, overseas travel see surge
By Mewati Sitaram
China’s tourism sector witnessed a significant rebound during the five-day May Day holiday from Thursday to Monday, with domestic and international travel numbers showing strong year-on-year growth.
According to the latest data released by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, domestic tourist sites recorded approximately 314 million visits, marking a 6.4% increase compared to the same period last year. Tourism-related spending soared to over 180 billion yuan (USD 25 billion), reflecting an 8% rise year-on-year.
Destinations with rich cultural heritage and well-preserved ancient architecture saw a notable uptick in footfall. Cities such as Tengchong in Yunnan and Xixian in Shanxi emerged as favourites among domestic travellers, the ministry noted.
The holiday period also saw a robust revival in inbound and outbound tourism. Approximately 57.4% of inbound travellers came from countries including Myanmar, South Korea, Malaysia, and Australia, a trend attributed to recent visa relaxations and enhanced tax refund schemes.
On the outbound front, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore were among the top choices for Chinese holidaymakers. Other popular international destinations included Thailand, Indonesia, Australia, Cambodia, and Russia, showcasing the growing appetite for overseas travel post-pandemic.
The surge in both domestic and international tourism highlights China’s ongoing recovery in the travel sector, bolstered by supportive government policies and strong traveller demand.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
