China is harnessing the extended Lunar New Year holiday to attract more spending from international tourists, as it seeks to overcome a recent economic slowdown and shift toward consumption-driven growth. In a rare joint initiative by nine central government departments, Beijing announced plans to transform the holiday—which began on Sunday and runs through February 23—into a “consumption feast that links regions and engages everyone.” Local governments are encouraged to release multilingual guides introducing Lunar New Year folk customs to help tourists experience China’s cultural heritage and holiday traditions.
China is gearing up to harness the extended Lunar New Year holiday to attract more spending by international tourists, as the country looks to shake off a recent economic slowdown and pivot towards consumption-driven growth.
Beijing sees huge untapped potential in spending by inbound travellers as it strives to drive up demand over the crucial nine-day holiday, which this year began on Sunday and runs through February 23.
In a rare joint initiative by nine central government departments, Beijing announced plans earlier this month to turn the holiday into a “consumption feast that links regions and engages everyone.”
This effort underscores Beijing's focus on boosting consumption amid deflationary pressures. Key elements mentioned include the Ministry of Commerce, Chongqing, Capital University of Economics and Business, Lunar New Year, Chinese GDP, Beijing, China, Shanghai, Liu Xuexin, Tianjin, consumption, Guangzhou, inbound tourism, Spring Festival, and deflationary pressure.
It also encouraged local governments to release multilingual guides introducing Lunar New Year folk customs to help tourists experience China’s cultural heritage and holiday traditions.
The plan reflects China's broader push to stimulate domestic demand and revive tourism, though the sources do not provide specific spending figures or prior tourism statistics.
