Audio By Carbonatix
Alibaba's mapping app Amap recorded more than 360 million daily active users on the first day of China's eight-day National Day holiday on Wednesday, setting an all-time high for the platform, the company said in a statement.
Alibaba and rival Meituan have been locked in a bitter battle for market share, with Amap moving away from its traditional focus on navigation and encroaching on Meituan's local-lifestyle territory by launching its own ranking of restaurants, hotels and tourist destinations.
In Thursday trade in Hong Kong, index heavyweight Alibaba jumped 4% after JPMorgan raised the tech giant's target share price to HK$240 ($30.85) from a previous HK$165.
Coinciding with the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival, the National Day holiday this year has been extended from one week to eight days, fuelling a surge in travel. The holiday period, which ends this year on October 8, is traditionally one of the busiest in China.
In September, Amap announced a new function known as "Street Stars," which uses artificial intelligence algorithms to rank destinations for its daily active users.
The app was offering users 1 billion yuan ($140.43 million) in subsidies for coupons for ride-hailing or in-store services as part of the new service's launch.
Chinese consumers have long relied on apps such as Meituan's Dazhong Dianping to research restaurant recommendations, make bookings and more.
China's national railway recorded 23.13 million trips on the first day of the National Day holiday, up nearly 8% from a year earlier and setting a single-day record, state media CCTV reported.
Latest Stories
-
Abolish or Reform? Abu Jinapor counsels sober reflection on debate over future of Special Prosecutor’s Office
3 hours -
2026 World Cup: Can Ghana navigate England, Croatia, and Panama in Group L?
3 hours -
NAIMOS task force arrests 9 Chinese illegal miners, destroys equipment at Dadieso
3 hours -
NAIMOS advances into Atiwa Forest, uncovers child labour, river diversion and heavy machinery
3 hours -
NAIMOS Task Force storms Fanteakwa South, dismantles galamsey operations
4 hours -
The Kissi Agyebeng Removal Bid: A Look at the Numbers
5 hours -
DVLA to roll out digitised accident reports, new number plates and 24-hour services
5 hours -
DVLA Workers’ Union opens 2025 Annual Residential Delegates Congress with call for excellence, equity and solidarity
6 hours -
Scholarships Secretariat sets December 8–9 interviews for Commonwealth Scholarship applicants
6 hours -
WASSCE decline reveals deep gaps, there’s need to overhaul education system – Franklin Cudjoe
6 hours -
JOY FM Drive Time host Lexis Bill leads fans up Aburi Mountain in energetic ‘Walk With Lexis’ fitness experience
6 hours -
2026 World Cup: Ghana to open campaign in Toronto against Panama
7 hours -
President Mahama, Lordina support retired Assemblies of God pastors, widows with medical care and Christmas gifts
7 hours -
2025/26 GPL: Nations FC fight back to claim 2-1 win over Heart of Lions
7 hours -
Tanzania responds to international criticism over October post-election events
7 hours
