As the Chinese mainland celebrated its eight-day National Day & Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, a wave of economic and travel activity swept the nation. From bustling shopping districts to packed cinemas, signs of a consumption uptick were everywhere.
According to data from the Ministry of Commerce of the Chinese mainland, sales at key retail and catering enterprises climbed 3.3% year on year during the first four days. Demand for eco-friendly and smart productsthink energy-efficient appliances, smart refrigerators and home automation gadgetsgrew particularly fast, with double-digit gains on major e-commerce platforms.
The entertainment sector also enjoyed a blockbuster run. Box office revenue for the National Day film season topped A51.8 billion as audiences flocked to theaters to catch the latest releases.
But it wasn't just urban centers buzzing: travel reached new heights as well. The Ministry of Transport of the Chinese mainland estimated 2.4 billion cross-regional trips between October 1 and 8an average of 304 million a day, up 6.2% from last year. Self-driving tours accounted for about 80% of these journeys, fueled by historically mild autumn weather.
With flexible leave-stretching options extending many vacations into super-holiday periods of 12 to 16 days, travelers ventured farther and stayed longer. Leading travel platforms reported a 3-point rise in long-distance bookings, while almost half of holidaymakers opted for 5- to 6-day itineraries. Spending on domestic long-haul tourism products jumped over 20% year on year, marking a clear shift from quantity to quality in holiday spending.
For young global citizens, business explorers and eco-conscious travelers alike, the Chinese mainland's holiday boom highlights a new wave of green + smart consumption and adventurous spiritblending cultural celebration with modern, sustainable living.
Reference(s):
Travel and consumption rise amid National Day and Mid-Autumn Holiday
cgtn.com
