Travel and spending during China’s Lunar New Year holiday hit new records this year, giving the government an encouraging boost as it seeks to ramp up the ailing economy.

China’s film market enjoyed a record-breaking Lunar New Year, amassing $1.31 billion in total box office revenue over the seven-day holiday period.

China's film market achieved a record high of 9.5 billion yuan ($1.3 billion) in takings over the Lunar New Year period, 18.8% higher than the same period last year, as movie-goers flocked to cinemas to watch movies such as "Nezha 2".

Tourism revenues in China during the eight-day holiday that ended Tuesday rose 7.0% in year-over-year terms, while the number of domestic trips rose 5.9%, state media reported.