China has seen a robust tourism market during the week-long National Day holiday that started on October 1.
The National Day holiday, also known as "golden week," is usually one of the peak seasons on China's domestic tourism calendar.
Many places across China upgraded services at scenic spots and launched distinctive tourism projects to stimulate consumer activity.
In Shanghai, Visitors could admire the architectural landscape along the banks of the Huangpu River and capture memorable photographs at the Oriental Pearl Tower, all while enjoying stunning views of the city.
"Standing here, I still find it quite impressive," said a tourist.
During the first five days of the holiday, the Oriental Pearl Tower register a total of 135,000 visits, marking a 4 percent increase compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, the Happy Valley scenic area in Shanghai's Sheshan National Tourist Resort received a total of 78,000 visitors, a 2.5 percent increase year on year. To manage the massive influx of visitors, the scenic areas not only extended their opening hours and equipment operation times but also added more performances.
Over 750,000 visitors visited Taining County in Sanming City of east China's Fujian Province in the first four days of the holiday, a 13.64 percent increase from the previous year.
Many tourists visited the Shangqingxi scenic area in Taining to ride bamboo rafts and experience the magnificent Danxia landform.
"We sat on the bamboo raft, enjoying the scenery along the way, which was very pleasant and relaxing," said Deng Xianpeng, another tourist.
The Jiulongtan scenic area in Taining introduced a “day tour and night tour” model, which proved popular among visitors. Tickets for the night tours were sold out for four consecutive days, and it was anticipated that the number of visitors during the seven-day holiday would exceed 50,000.
While enhancing services in scenic areas, local authorities in Taining also organized a variety of vibrant cultural activities to enrich visitors' experience.
Laoshan Mountain, a famous scenic area in Qingdao City of east China's Shandong Province, experienced its peak tourism season during the holiday.
Visitors can enjoy the stunning autumn scenery of the scenic area while sipping tea, and they also had the chance to get up close to steep peaks and uniquely shaped rocks, experiencing the joy of mountain climbing.
China sees robust tourism market during National Day holiday
Macao has been emerging as a global hub for conventions and exhibitions in recent years by exploring the enormous opportunities in the sector, driving the region to advance its economic diversification and embrace a brighter future.
Macao has received many awards this year, such as the Best Convention City (Asia) and the Best BT-MICE City, showcasing the recognition for and influence of Macao's exhibition industry.
More than 1,000 electronic game enthusiasts from all over the world gathered recently in Macao to participate in a esports themed event.
Su Zhili, organizer of the event, said that Macao's rich experience in hosting large-scale events, coupled with its good infrastructure, has driven him to choose the region as an ideal destination to hold such an activity.
"Macao has held many similar large-scale events. It has rich experience, and the facilities at the venue are relatively mature, so we can start our work comfortably," said Su.
During the first three quarters of 2024, Macao held more than 1,000 conferences and exhibitions in total.
"We will invite more professional, special conferences to be held in Macao and also cultivate more exhibition brands with international influence in Macao, so as to promote Macao's exhibitions to be more market-oriented, professional, international, digital and greener from various aspects. This is our goal," said Elaine Wong, member of the Macao Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute.
In addition, multiple large exhibitions and conferences, such as the Macao International Trade and Investment fair, the Macao Franchise Expo, and the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum, are held regularly in Macao.
With the introduction of a series of policies and measures to facilitate the exchanges between the mainland and Macao, as well as the construction and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Macao's convention and exhibition industry will embrace more opportunities for development in the foreseeable future.
"We have such a good industrial base in the Greater Bay Area. The mode of 'Convention and Exhibition + Industry' not only integrates the industries of Macao, but also the industries of the Greater Bay Area. In addition, Macao actively integrates into the national development and plays a role in the Belt and Road. Why are we so confident in Macao's convention and exhibition sector? Because it is backed by the motherland, and the country gives Macao great support," said Alan Ho, chairman of the Macao Association of Convention, Exhibition and Tourism Sectors.
Macao emerges as global hub for conventions and exhibitions, driving economic diversification and international recognition
