BEIJING, Sept. 16 -- China's culture and tourism sectors have become key drivers of the country's domestic consumption, the China Daily reported Monday.

The per capita spending on education, culture and entertainment products reached 1,033 yuan (about 145 U.S. dollars) in the first half of 2019, up 10.9 percent year-on-year, according to the figures from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

In the tourism sector, Chinese travelers made about 3.1 billion domestic visits in the first six months of this year, up 8.8 percent year-on-year, generating revenue of 2.78 trillion yuan, up 13.5 percent year-on-year.

"The culture and tourism market is growing steadily thanks to people's ever stronger desire for consumption," said Wang Xiaofeng, a senior official with the ministry.