Overseas tourist spending in China surges during holiday

China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy and updated departure tax refund system significantly boosted international tourism spending during the May Day holiday.

Alipay, a major mobile payment platform in China, reported international tourist spending on its platform surged 180% year on year during the holiday's first three days. The number of visitors from countries eligible for the visa-free transit policy using Alipay's tap-to-pay feature increased nearly 50% compared to April.

Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Nanjing, Tianjin, Xi'an and Chongqing topped the list of destinations for overseas visitors using the mobile payment service, with cultural items, clothing and electronics among the most purchased goods.

Ahead of the holiday, Alipay launched a new "China Travel" service plan to enhance experiences for inbound tourists. Foreign visitors can now use the platform in over 400 Chinese cities for dining, entertainment and shopping. The service also enables tourists to order food and unlock shared bikes with Alipay's tap-to-pay feature, giving them access to China's digital ecosystem.