China Golden Week spending per trip hits four-year low amid overseas travel jump
Average spending per domestic trip in China during the Golden Week holiday fell to a four-year low of 893.92 yuan. Despite high travel demand, consumers are showing caution due to economic uncertainty and a weak job market.
Why it matters
The decline in per-trip spending suggests that China's broader economic recovery remains fragile, as household confidence continues to lag behind travel activity.
Average spending per domestic trip during the seven-day holiday fell 1.9 per cent to 893.92 yuan (US$133.51), the lowest since 2022.
People walk through a shopping mall on the last day of a seven-day National Day holiday in Beijing on Oct 7, 2026. (Photo: AFP/Greg Baker)
BEIJING: Chinese travellers' average spending per trip fell to a four-year low during this year's seven-day Golden Week holiday, dashing hopes that strong travel demand would spur a broader recovery in consumer spending.
Chinese consumers instead opted for more overseas travel to take advantage of a longer travel period around the holiday. That trend, along with movie ticket sales falling to their lowest in 12 years during the period, will likely raise concerns in the government, which has sought to spur domestic spending to boost the overall economy.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in