China Tourism Academy released a report on the performance of the tourism sector on this year's Qingming Festival, or Tomb Sweeping Day, on April 7. The total number of domestic tourists during the holiday reached 43.25 million, a year-on-year decrease of 61.4 percent, while the tourism revenue fell to 8.26 billion yuan (1.17 billion U.S. dollar), a year-on-year decrease of 80.7 percent. However, the domestic tourist satisfaction index reached a historical high of 88.8.
Compared with previous years, this year's holiday witnessed a surge in the number of people who chose to drive their own cars to nearby suburbs and cities, thereby aiding the recovery of the tourism market. During the three-day holiday, a majority of tourists preferred visiting scenic spots located in their own provinces, with only a few opting to travel by train or plane. At the same time, outdoor activities, including flower appreciation and zoo tours, are becoming more popular.
Speaking of tourism consumption, in addition to the necessary payment for transportation and accommodation, other expenditures decreased significantly as compared to last year.
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