Chongqing - The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has highlighted a vigorous rebound in the cultural and tourism industry during the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays in 2023 from September 29 to October 6, contributing to a stable and systematic national holiday market. 

During the eight-day holiday, Chinese people made 826 million domestic tourist trips, an increase of 71.3 percent from last year and 4.1 percent from 2019, according to the ministry. The total revenue of the tourism sector increased by 129.5 percent year on year to 753.4 billion yuan (103.2 billion U.S. dollars) during the period.

As the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day celebrations converged, Chongqing unveiled a dynamic array of strategies, sparking significant growth in consumer spending. Data indicates the festivities brought 2.3182 million overnight visitors to Chongqing—a 14.8% rise from 2019 figures. Additionally, Chongqing's overall market consumption swelled by 15.1% year-over-year, outpacing last year's growth for the same period by 7.9%.

Unified Multi-Party Efforts Spearhead Consumption Revival

The festive season showcased a landmark partnership between Sichuan and Chongqing, fostering multi-sector alliances encompassing business, cultural tourism, foreign affairs, and more. A highlight was the launch of the 2023 Chengdu-Chongqing Consumer Festival, which involved over 100 shopping hubs, 1,000+ corporations, and a vast number of brands. Collectively, they hosted over 300 events, invigorating the consumer market.

The 2023 Chengdu-Chongqing Consumer Festival (Photo provided to iChongqing and Bridging News)

In Chongqing, several districts have enthusiastically joined the celebration of the festival. Notably, Yuzhong District, Nan'an District, Jiulongpo District, Fuling District, Rongchang District, and Wanzhou District, among others, have orchestrated a variety of theme-based consumer festivals, expos, and a series of additional activities. These endeavors aimed to shower citizens and tourists alike with a plethora of shopping and entertainment options, enriching their experience in the vibrant locale.

For example, on September 28, Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park and Longmenhao Old Street in Nan'an District officially opened. A series of activities with characteristics, including a photography exhibition, floating book exhibition, and nature bazaar, have attracted a large number of tourists.

The opening ceremony of Chongqing's Opening Port Heritage Park. (Photo/Culture and Tourism Commission of Chongqing Nan'an District)

Statistics from the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce illuminate a robust uptick in consumption during the festival period. Consumption within the pivotal business districts of Chongqing increased by 19.9% year-over-year and by 13% compared to the corresponding period in 2019.

Cultural, Tourism, and Catering Sectors Abuzz with Vitality

A new paradigm in holiday consumption- termed ' segmented travel '- has emerged this year through the confluence of the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day, resulting in a substantial eight-day holiday. Most people choose family reunions before embarking on journeys to various destinations. Consequently, Chongqing's scenic spots, catering, and cultural tourism ventures witnessed a palpable surge in visitor engagement. Further, Chongqing's catering and cultural tourism sectors are dazzling highlights of holiday spending, creating lively, bustling scenes.

Chongqing hot pot (Photo provided to iChongqing and Bridging News)

Chongqing's catering sector is astutely geared up to accommodate the anticipated surge during the extended holiday period. Numerous prominent restaurants experienced a spike in banquet reservations, with several establishments reaching full capacity weeks ahead of the holiday festivities.

Chongqing launched a plethora of invigorating activities and advantageous measures meticulously designed to elevate cultural and tourism enterprises while simultaneously bestowing substantial benefits upon the populace. These initiatives presented both local and visiting consumers with a comprehensive consumption guide, seamlessly intertwining elements of dining, shopping, entertainment, travel, accommodation, and transportation. The synergistic blend of commerce, tourism, and culture catalyzed robust consumption momentum throughout Chongqing. Stretching from the Hongyadong Scenic Spot to the Qianjiang District, numerous districts and counties offered tourists abundant rich experiences and lasting memories by orchestrating a wide array of cultural and tourism activities.

According to the statistics, Chongqing's catering sector turnover increased by 29.2% year-over-year and by 13.4% compared with the same period last year.

Overwhelming Visitor Volume at A-Level Scenic Spots

During the holiday, 130 tourist destinations welcomed an impressive 8.549 million visitors. Urban attractions, in particular, saw a robust influx of tourists: the Ciqikou Ancient Town was visited by 909,000 individuals, while the Hongyadong Scenic Spot attracted 878,000 visitors. The Yangtze River Cableway ranked third with 110,300 tourists, as well.

Hongyadong Scenic Spot (Photo provided to iChongqing and Bridging News)

The Wulong Karst National Geology Park and Qianjiang Zhuoshui Scenic Area, renowned 5A-grade scenic spots favored for inter-provincial and group tours, emerged as tourist hot places during this year's Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays, drawing 504,000 and 261,000 visitors respectively. Additionally, the Qutang Gorge in Fengjie Baidi City, the Youyang Taohuayuan (Peach Blossom Spring) Scenic Area, and the Dazu Rock Carvings each also welcomed upward of 100,000 tourists, showcasing the enduring allure of these destinations.

Additionally, during the eight-day holiday period, the Geleshan Martyrs Cemetery attracted 199,000 visitors as a bridge through which tourists from outside the region could explore Chongqing's distinctive history and culture.

Cultural Activities Enrich the Lives of Citizens

This year, the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday were marked by vibrant cultural activities, including the 2nd Chongqing Urban Art Festival and the China Western Animation Culture Festival. Therefore, citizens and visitors were treated to an expansive array of over 200 cultural and tourism activities, coupled with more than 70 measures designed for public benefit.

Relevant data reveal that during the holidays, Chongqing's 42 public libraries and 41 cultural centers, which were open to the public free of charge, drew a cumulative total of 1.5898 million visitors. Additionally, online services reached and benefited another 1.0602 million individuals.

Across the various districts and counties of the city, an array of artistic performances, exhibitions, and activities celebrating cultural and intangible cultural heritage were staged, offering citizens and tourists a rich experience of cultural enjoyment and exploration.