(Yicai) Oct. 10 -- China’s Golden Week holiday drove a sharp rebound in domestic tourism, with spending up 15 percent to CNY809 billion (USD114.5 billion), highlighting resilient consumption and growing consumer confidence.

The number of trips taken in China over the holiday that ended Oct. 8 jumped 16 percent to 888 million, according to figures from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

A coordinated set of policy measures has continued to bolster consumer spending, boosting sales and optimizing consumption patterns, said Fu Linghui, spokesperson for the National Bureau of Statistics.

Targeted government action will continue to lift consumption, steady employment, raise incomes, improve the consumer environment, and enhance the supply of high-quality goods and services to better unlock consumption potential and promote stable market growth, Fu added.

Golden Week stretched out to eight days this year, compared with the more usual seven, as the lunar calendar-based Mid-Autumn Festival fell within the annual National Day holiday period.

More than 29,000 cultural and tourism activities were held nationwide over the holiday, with local governments distributing over CNY480 million (USD68 million) in consumption subsidies, the tourism ministry said in the run-up to the break.

Cross-regional passenger trips rose 6.2 percent from a year ago to a record high 2.43 billion, according to the transport ministry. Strong travel demand, supported by China’s extensive and integrated transport network, ensured smooth passenger travel and logistics, providing a major boost to the holiday economy, an official said.

Like-for-like sales at key retailers and caterers rose 2.7 percent, per the commerce ministry. Green, smart, and Chinese-style fashion product sales stood out, with sales of green and organic foods soaring 28 percent, smart home products 14 percent, and Chinese-style fashion apparel 14 percent.

China's box office reached CNY1.8 billion (USD260 million) over the holidays, with more than 50 million people going to cinemas, the National Film Administration reported. Takings have topped CNY43.8 billion (USD6.2 billion) so far this year, surpassing last year's total by 19 percent, while moviegoers have exceeded 1 billion.

China saw 16.34 million border crossings over Golden Week, with an average of 2.04 million a day, up 12 percent from a year earlier, the National Immigration Administration said.

In addition, Chinese travelers booked hotels in 4,588 overseas cities on travel site Qunar, while online services provider Tongcheng Travel reported the number of long-haul outbound group tours nearly doubled from a year ago.

Editor: Martin Kadiev