BEIJING—Chinese enthusiasm for sports following the Paris Olympic Games has significantly boosted travel and spending during the week-long National Day holiday. Notable increases in visitor numbers at sports venues and a surge in sports-related activities were reported across the country, reflecting a growing trend of active leisure and sports tourism.

According to Namibia Press Agency, a saddle club in Changchun, Jilin Province, experienced a doubling in reservations, offering over 100 equestrian courses daily during the holiday from October 1 to 7. Club manager Zhang Jianpeng noted an influx of both local families and tourists, drawn by the allure of horse riding and the region's autumnal beauty.

The holiday also saw Beijing's National Tennis Center and Shougang Park emerge as new favorite spots due to events like the 2024 China Open and World Table Tennis China Smash. These venues drew large crowds, captivated by performances from tennis stars like Zheng Qinwen and table tennis sensation Sun Yingsha.

In southwest China’s Guizhou Province, Rongjiang County, known for its Village Super League or "Cun Chao," hosted 19 football matches that attracted both domestic and international amateur players, emphasizing the league's role in popularizing football. Local businesses, such as a barbecue stand near the stadium, reported a tenfold increase in income due to the heightened tourist activity.

Overall, sports-related tourism has shown a robust growth, with Rongjiang County recording a 30.67 percent increase in tourist numbers and a 26.78 percent rise in tourism revenue compared to the previous year. Events like the Alxa Festival in Inner Mongolia also contributed to the holiday's success, drawing over 123,300 tourists on October 1 alone, a 23.3 percent increase year-on-year.