Outbound Chinese tourists turn rational in consumption: ministry

(ECNS) - Chinese tourists appeared to show restraint with their shopping offshore during the National Day holiday from Oct. 1 to 7, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

In the latest seven-day holiday, known as “Golden Week” in China, irrational behavior among Chinese tourists, like snapping up toilet seats, cold pills or electric cookers in destination countries, seldom occurred.

Instead, outbound tourists seemed more focused on travelling and enjoying their journey, according to the ministry.

Data showed Chinese tourists made more than seven million overseas trips, with broader choices in overseas destinations, the most popular still being Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, France, Italy and Russia. 

However, online bookings to other countries including the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Poland, Croatia, Malta and Cambodia reported double-digit growth.