Beijing, June 11, 2024, The Europe Today: The Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced on Monday that China experienced a significant increase in domestic tourism during the three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday. A total of 110 million domestic tourist trips were made, marking a 6.3 percent rise from the same period last year.
During the holiday, which spanned from Saturday to Monday, domestic tourists spent approximately 40.35 billion yuan (about 5.57 billion U.S. dollars), reflecting an 8.1 percent year-on-year increase.
The ministry noted a shift in tourist preferences, with a growing trend toward more flexible and personalized travel options. Tourists are increasingly opting for leisurely-paced vacations, in-depth experiences, and ample relaxation. Among the top destinations for young travelers were Yunnan, Qinghai, Gansu, Inner Mongolia, and Guizhou, which are particularly popular for road trips and summer retreats.
The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, is a traditional Chinese holiday celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar. This year, the festival fell on Monday, contributing to the three-day holiday period.
The rise in domestic tourism and spending during this year’s Dragon Boat Festival highlights the resilience and vitality of China’s tourism sector as it continues to recover and evolve post-pandemic.