This May Day holiday, the consumer market in the Chinese mainland hit a high note with 314 million domestic trips (a 6.4% rise over last year) and ¥180.3 billion in tourist spending, up 8%. From buzzing city streets to tranquil countryside escapes, millions rekindled their wanderlust and filled local shops, cafes and cultural landmarks.
As global growth wavers under trade tensions and economic headwinds, the mainland’s double boom in travel and spending signals resilient domestic demand. With exports facing pressure internationally, turning inward to stimulate a super-large market of 1.4 billion people has become both a strategic imperative and a pathway to more sustainable growth.
Policymakers have rolled out a toolbox of measures to stoke consumer confidence and lift incomes. Direct fiscal investments, stronger social-security benefits and streamlined subsidy programs are fueling a stable rise in household purchasing power. Meanwhile, optimized tax breaks and two-new initiatives have expanded support for electric cars, home appliances and everyday goods.
Local governments have joined the charge. Shanghai widened vehicle-trade-in subsidies to cover used cars from out-of-town plates. In the Ningxia region, 24 themed trade-in events during the holiday tapped into a ¥40 million subsidy fund. And data from a leading e-commerce platform shows green appliances such as air conditioners, refrigerators and steam cleaners were top sellers in the first days of the break.
Looking ahead, the holiday surge offers a blueprint for other economies navigating uncertainty. By nurturing domestic markets, leveraging policy innovation and pursuing high-quality cultural and tourism products, the Chinese mainland is turning consumer vitality into a steady engine of growth.
For global citizens, this boom means more immersive travel experiences, fresh startup opportunities in retail and tourism tech, and a glimpse at how strategic demand-driven policies can reshape consumption in the world’s largest markets.
Reference(s):
Holiday consumption reflects the vigor of China's domestic demand
cgtn.com
