INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
China's consumer market showed strong momentum during the May Day holiday, marked by a surge in travel activity and booming sales across
major retail and dining sectors.The twin boom in travel and consumption highlighted not only the vitality of the holiday economy but also
underscored the vast potential of China's broader economic landscape, according to experts.Tourism boomDuring the May 15 holiday, nearly 1.5
billion cross-regional trips were made across China, according to the Ministry of Transport, as travelers embraced both domestic and
cross-border travel to make the most of their time off.Domestic trips during the holiday reached 314 million, marking a 6.4 percent
year-on-year increase, while travel-related spending rose by 8 percent to 180.27 billion yuan (about $25.03 billions), official data showed
on Tuesday.According to data from online travel agency Qunar.com, first-time flight bookings during this year's May Day holiday surged by
over 30 percent year on year, while passenger volume among the 60-80 age group saw a remarkable 40 percent increase compared to the same
period last year.Long-distance and in-depth travel gained significant traction during the five-day holiday
According to travel booking platform Fliggy, accommodation bookings more than doubled in destinations such as Beitun City in northwest
China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Qamdo City in southwest Xizang Autonomous Region.Meanwhile, other leisure activities like
rainforest hiking, desert camel riding, and stargazing camping have grown increasingly popular, becoming top choices among
holidaymakers.Boosted by preferential policies such as tax refunds for overseas visitors and expanded visa-free entry, China's appeal as a
travel destination continues to grow
According to online travel giant Trip.com, inbound tourism orders during the holiday surged by 130 percent year on year, driven largely by
cultural experiences and a wide array of travel options that attracted international visitors.Fang Zeqian, an industry analyst with
Trip.com, said that the holiday travel data reflects a shift in China's tourism consumption from sheer volume to a focus on quality-driven
growth.The rise of emerging trends such as "reverse tourism" characterized by travelers opting for smaller cities and rural destinations
has helped ease pressure on traditional tourism hotspots while reflecting the market's growing appetite for unique and differentiated
experiences, according to Fang.Spending spreeAccording to data from the Ministry of Commerce, sales at key retail and catering enterprises
nationwide rose by 6.3 percent year on year during the holiday.Platform data also revealed that dine-in orders for local specialty dishes,
driven by tourists, saw a remarkable 105 percent year-on-year increase during the holiday
Many hotels reported full occupancy, with online platform Meituan achieving record-high hotel booking volumes, thus contributing to a 14.9
percent year-on-year rise in hotel accommodation consumption."During the May Day holiday, we also offered exclusive discounts combined with
national subsidies," said the manager of JD MALL's Nanjing Daming Road store
On the first day of the holiday, the store attracted over 30,000 customers
JD MALL is a physical store brand of China's e-commerce giant JD.com.Local governments in China capitalized on the May Day holiday to
For instance, Beijing launched more than 100 themed activities under the "Jingcai Siji" (Brilliant Seasons) campaign, while Changsha
allocated 10 million yuan in car purchase subsidies for individual consumers
In Wuhan, the 2025 Crayfish Consumption Season was launched, with partnerships between renowned restaurants and e-commerce platforms aimed
at promoting spending."We will organize more trade-in programs during key holidays like May Day to spur consumption
With the continued implementation of consumption-boosting policies, the market is expected to maintain stable growth, providing strong
support for economic recovery," said an official of the Ministry of Commerce.
