China's National Day Celebrations Spark Travel Boom

China's National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, known as 'golden week', is expected to spark a travel boom both domestically and internationally. The eight-day holiday, from October 1 to 8, is forecast to see a significant increase in trips abroad, with between 8 million and 8.4 million trips predicted, more than double the number in 2024. Visa-free travel to destinations such as Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Russia is expected to be particularly popular. The holiday's extended length and the introduction of visa-free travel policies are expected to drive the surge in travel, benefiting the service economy.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has sent a congratulatory message to China on its National Day, marking a return to the traditional practice of doing so before October 1. The message, published on the State Department's website on September 30, congratulates the people of China on the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and wishes them health, happiness, prosperity, and peace. This move comes after last year's greeting was delayed amid tensions between the two nations.

Hong Kong celebrated National Day on October 1, 2025, with various events, including a flag-raising ceremony and a fireworks display. The city recorded 100,000 inbound trips during the celebrations, with the restaurant sector expecting a 20% increase in business due to mainland China's 'golden week' holiday. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu delivered a speech at a reception attended by local and central government officials and business leaders.