Domestic tourism reached pre-epidemic levels during National Day Week holidays in China

During the week-long holiday, which coincides with National Day, the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival celebrated according to the lunar calendar, the number of domestic travelers and domestic tourism revenue reached levels prior to the Covid-19 outbreak.

According to the statement from the Ministry of Tourism and Culture of China, during the eight-day holiday from September 29 to October 6, 826 million people traveled within the country and total domestic tourism revenue increased to 753.4 thousand. million yuan (103 billion dollars). .

During the first National Day Week holiday after Covid-19 restrictions were lifted late last year, tourist numbers increased by 4.1 percent compared to 2019, and domestic tourism receipts increased 1.5 percent, reaching pre-pandemic levels.

While the number of tourists increased by 71 percent compared to 2022, when travel restrictions were imposed due to the Covid-19 epidemic, a 130 percent increase in tourism revenue was recorded. Despite this increase in income, the amount of spending per tourist remained 2 percent below 2019.

COVID-19 DELIVERED A BLOW TO TOURISM

Quarantines and travel restrictions imposed in China in 2022 due to epidemics caused by Omicron cases in many cities in the country had a negative impact on domestic tourism during holiday periods.

While travel restrictions were imposed in many cities, including the country’s largest Shanghai, Beijing, Xinjiang and Guangzhou, during holiday periods due to outbreaks caused by the Omicron variant of Covid-19, it was recommended that citizens who did not “leave the city.” . (AA)