BEIJING, June 1 (Xinhua) -- In a noteworthy indication of rising domestic travel, China has reported a year-on-year increase of 10.8 percent in inter-regional trips during the Dragon Boat Festival, according to data from the Ministry of Transport.

The first day of the Dragon Boat Festival holiday saw over 230.97 million inter-regional trips made, illustrating a robust appetite for travel among Chinese citizens. This surge reflects both a growing confidence in the recovery of the tourism sector and a rebound in consumer mobility.

Road travel dominated the transportation landscape, accounting for approximately 209.99 million trips, marking an increase of 11.3 percent year over year. This statistic underscores the continued reliance on road transport, which has become increasingly popular in light of convenience and accessibility.

In addition to road traffic, railway transport also demonstrated growth, with nearly 18.12 million passenger trips recorded, representing a 5 percent rise compared to last year. The uptick in rail travel suggests that more people are opting for this mode of transport, likely due to its speed and efficiency.

Waterway travel witnessed a significant surge, with passenger volumes reaching 959,000, a striking 21.3 percent increase year on year. This reflects a burgeoning interest in utilizing waterways for travel, possibly due to their scenic routes and alternative to road congestion.

Conversely, air travel remained relatively stable, with airlines handling 1.911 million passenger trips, unchanged from the same period last year. This stagnation may indicate ongoing sensitivities among travelers regarding air travel, despite an overall resurgence in travel numbers.

The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, which falls on the fifth day of the fifth month in the Chinese lunar calendar, was celebrated on May 31 this year. The holiday period extends from May 31 to June 2, offering a multi-day window for travel and festivities.

This surge in inter-regional travel during the Dragon Boat Festival serves as an encouraging sign for the broader recovery of China's travel and tourism market, which had been heavily impacted by previous restrictions. As domestic travel rebounds, it highlights a potential shift towards increased leisure activities in the post-pandemic era.