Should China break with travel frenzy and rethink holiday system?

Price rises, long queues and cancelled bookings have highlighted the strains of millions travelling at the same time

There are also questions over the long-term benefits of the five-day spending shot to China’s economic recovery

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Huge crowds have flocked to China’s most popular tourism destinations during the country’s five-day national holiday. Photo: Reuters

Josephine Ma

Josephine Ma is China news editor and has covered China news for the Post for more than 20 years.

Published: 7:11pm, 2 May 2023Updated: 10:14pm, 2 May 2023

The travel frenzy during China’s five-day May Day holiday, which ends on Wednesday, is being hailed by state media as an indicator of the country’s economic recovery.

A People’s Daily commentary on Tuesday said the spending boom was an indicator of the growing confidence of Chinese consumers and the economy’s vitality.

“The Labour Day holiday lets the world see a China full of vitality and hope, it again confirms China’s economy is resilient, full of potential, and full of vitality and its long-term trend is positive,” it said.

The mainland was still reeling from a massive Covid-19 outbreak nationwide in January during China’s last long holiday – for the Spring Festival – just weeks after lifting all pandemic restrictions.

It was not surprising to see mainlanders craving a break away from home during the May holiday, but some internet users and commentators have questioned whether the strains of travelling this week have been too much.

They have also asked whether this spending bout can help the economy in the long term, apart from giving it a shot of positive sentiment.