China turns ‘super golden week’ into national spending spree

China’s extended National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, dubbed the “super golden week,” became a nationwide economic and cultural sensation this year, exceeding a mere vacation and showcasing a powerful surge in consumption and travel. The eight-day break generated a lasting economic momentum as cities across the country launched competitive and distinctive cultural and tourism marketing strategies to attract visitors and boost local spending. A record 2.43 billion trips were made nationwide during the holiday, averaging 304 million trips per day, an increase of 6.2 percent from the previous year. For example, Sichuan Province successfully highlighted its iconic pandas, Henan Province leveraged its rich historical heritage for immersive ancient culture experiences, and Fujian Province exhibited its maritime culture through various cultural events. Official data confirmed steady consumption growth, with key retail and catering enterprises reporting a 2.7 percent year-on-year sales increase, and the holiday box office exceeding 1.835 billion yuan (about $258 million). Furthermore, the holiday saw significant growth in inbound tourism, largely due to visa facilitation policies and a rich array of activities, with Beijing alone welcoming some 119,000 overseas arrivals, marking a 48 percent year-on-year increase. The overall success demonstrated the government’s aim to turn festive enthusiasm into lasting economic power through innovative experiences and cross-sector integration.

Credit : CGTN