Tourism reaches new high on May Day holiday

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An estimated 195 million domestic tourists traveled throughout China during the May Day holiday from May 1 to 4, up by 13.7 percent over the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Tourism revenue reached 118 billion yuan during the holiday, marking a 16.6 percent increase year on year.

Infographic by CGTN

Culture elements were involved in more than 80 percent of the trips, the number of tourists who went to cultural-themed scenic spots increased over 20 percent as compared to last year.

Family trips, which stimulated the consumption of cultural activities, leisure, and dining, were the driving force behind the jump. On an average, tourists stayed 2.5 days out of town and spent between 500 and 1,000 yuan.

Due to the extended holiday (extended from previously 3 to 4 days this year), long-distance trips increased 18 percent from last year.

The top ten domestic tourism destinations during the holiday are Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou in east China's Zhejiang Province, Guangzhou in south China's Guangdong Province, Suzhou and Nanjing in east China's Jiangsu Province, Chongqing and Chengdu in southwest China's Sichuan Province, Wuhan in central China's Hubei Province, and Xi'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

Travel-related consumption also grew during the holiday.

More domestic tourists developed a better awareness of insurance this holiday, insurance sales increased by 14.4 percent compared to last year.

The sales of sunscreen cosmetic products grew 74 percent, and sunscreen clothes grew 107 percent, according to statistics provided by Suning big data.

Vehicle accessories also saw a whopping increase of 163 percent in sales, while children's car seats witnessed a growth of 87 percent.