Shanghai Tourism Festival shatters record with nearly 40 million visitors

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On Friday, the Shanghai Tourism Festival came to an end with more people participating in a wider range of events and feeling more satisfied.

Over 300 diverse events of all kinds were hosted throughout the city from September 16 to October 6 as part of the festival, which drew 38.5 million attendees.

The festival this year was a milestone, According to Fang Shizhong, director of the Shanghai Administration of Culture and Tourism, with improvements in both quality and quantity.

He adds, “We’ve been trying hard to innovate in various events, making them Shanghai-distinctive by focusing on the features of metropolitan-style, comprehensiveness and internationalization,”

In Shanghai, consumers spent a total of 88.6 billion yuan ($12.1 billion), up 13.5 percent year over year, on lodging, dining, transportation, shopping, and entertainment. This shows that the city has a high hunger for tourism and consumerism. Along with more conventional events like car and float parades, retail fairs, and tickets for tourists at a discount, the city also offered some brand-new activities including high-tech light and shadow shows, guochao (China chic) carnivals, additional Suzhou river cruises, and a number of elite sporting competitions. Additionally, it collaborated with other organizations in the Yangtze River Delta to increase the region’s allure for locals and visitors alike.

Fang further adds that Shanghai is enhancing the tourism festival’s impact on the city’s reputation and encouraging consumption, which is accelerating the development of an international consumption hub and popular tourist destination. The goal is to make the city the first stop for tourists entering China. He says, “With novel activities offered at good prices, it’s one more reason for people to fall in love with Shanghai.”

By making the most of its 144-hour transit visa exemption policy and departure tax refund program for foreign visitors, the city will enhance its inbound tourism service. Additionally, it will make paying and clearing customs for new guests more convenient.