Chongqing's yellow canola flower fields are a popular destination for citizens to enjoy the blossoms. (Photo/Huxin Luo)

Chongqing - Spring outings are fueling a consumption boom in Chongqing, with scenic spot revenues jumping 81.8% year on year since February, while leisure sightseeing rose 31.5% and travel agency services increased 14.3%, according to local value-added tax (VAT) data.

At the Maoshan Cherry Blossom Park in Chongqing Jiangjin, 4.67 square kilometers of cherry blossoms have drawn massive crowds. "Since opening in February, the park has received nearly 150,000 visitors, with sales revenue up 10% year-on-year," said Cai Youhui, the park's financial director, on March 24.

The "blossom economy" begins with flowers but extends much further. To expand this industrial chain, the city links floral attractions with tourism, creative industries and agriculture, boosting spending on dining and local shopping.

In Shiwan Town of Chongqing Dazu, "flower-field hotpot" has emerged as a new highlight, allowing tourists to dine amidst seas of blooming rapeseed. By utilizing this dining experience to integrate agricultural sightseeing, catering, and outdoor activities, the town saw its leisure and sightseeing sales revenue jump 20.8% year-on-year this year, while catering revenue rose by 24.8%.

Blending floral sightseeing with local cuisine has become a striking feature of Chongqing's consumer market. VAT data shows that since February, the city's overall catering service revenue has increased by 13.6% year-on-year. Specifically, dine-in and food delivery services grew by 14.1% and 13%, respectively, indicating strong growth momentum.

In response to the growing demand for higher invoice quotas from catering and accommodation businesses driven by the "blossom economy," the tax department has utilized big data to analyze and anticipate invoice usage, helping key enterprises adjust their quotas in advance.

The tax department also introduced an "invoice lottery" campaign. Consumers who make purchases in eight major sectors—including retail, catering, and tourism—can enter a draw upon receiving a compliant electronic invoice, a move designed to stimulate market vitality and boost consumption.

Data shows that in the first month of the campaign, invoiced sales revenue in the eight targeted sectors grew by 4.8% year-on-year. This initiative drove the issuance of over 38 million invoices across all industries citywide, representing a 46.6% year-on-year increase and a 17% month-on-month increase.