China’s economy continues to decline, with weak consumer spending. During the National Day holiday and Mid-Autumn Festival, domestic travel increased, but per capita spending decreased, with tourists spending 13% less per day compared to 2019 before the pandemic.
According to data from the China Tourism and Culture Ministry, during the 8-day holiday, there were 8.88 billion domestic travelers, an increase of 1.23 billion compared to the 7-day National Day holiday last year. The total domestic travel expenditure reached 809.06 billion yuan, an increase of 108.2 billion yuan from last year. However, on average, each traveler spent 911 yuan, lower than the 916.1 yuan during the same period last year. The daily per capita spending decreased from 130.87 yuan last year to 113.88 yuan this year, a 13% decrease.
On October 9, “GeLongHui” posted on its Weibo account “GeLongHui Analysis of the World” a chart showing the “Changes in per capita daily consumption during holidays from 2023 to 2025”. They explained that during the 2025 Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday, the average daily travel expenditure was 113.9 yuan, a 13% decrease compared to 2019, equivalent to 95.9%.
Netizens commented on the post, saying, “The ‘deflation’ of consumption continues.” “Just don’t admit it’s deflation.” “Being frugal is still a form of travel.” “You can consume even when camping.” “Let’s face the fact, downgrading of consumption.” “Big data is indeed blunt and real.” “How can they manage it, only pay for the entrance ticket and not eat, drink, or stay?” “This amount of money is enough to buy entrance tickets and meals at the scenic spots, but not enough for the ferry ticket.”
The data reflects a concerning trend of decreasing spending among Chinese travelers, despite an increase in the number of people traveling domestically during holidays. The impact of the economic downturn on consumer behavior is evident, with individuals opting for more cost-effective travel options and cutting back on daily expenses while on vacation. As the economy continues to face challenges, monitoring consumer spending patterns will be crucial in understanding the overall health of the market and planning for future economic recovery strategies.