With the introduction of the "10 New Measures" for COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control, Chongqing's culture and tourism industry have begun to recover in an all-around way. The rapid recovery of the hot spring market this winter has directly accelerated the recovery of the surrounding hotel industry and continuously boosted consumption in culture and tourism.

The Jingangbei hot spring in Beibei District. (Photo/ Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development)

According to the "Double Festival" report of Trip.com Group Hotel Hub, hotel bookings near the hot spring resort during the 2023 New Year's Day holiday are expected to rise by 5% year-on-year. Hot spring tourism has become a popular choice for tourists.

According to statistics from the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development, during the New Year's Day holiday, the total revenue of the hot springs and hotels of Tongjing Spring came to 497,900 yuan, that of Beity Hot Spring Tourism Resort totaled 815,200 yuan, and that of Ronghui Hotspring amounted to 1.08 million yuan, showing an increase compared with the winter pandemic period.

The Bailian hot spring resort in Beibei District. (Photo/ Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development)

Private hot spring hotels are surprisingly popular compared to outdoor hot springs, as many try to avert gatherings to avoid infection and re-infection. "Since our family just recovered, we decided to stay away from crowded destinations, so we took kids to the Banyan Tree Hotel in Beibei District to enjoy private hot springs, which are safe and healthy," resident Liu Jie said.

According to the staff of Banyan Tree Hotel, every room in the hotel has a private hot spring. Most tourists were on vacation with their children, and hotel room was in short supply during the New Year's Day holiday. " The hotel's one-stop service can meet all needs of tourists. Drinking tea, soaking in hot springs, admiring the scenery, enjoying specialties, and more. It's perfect for a family to spend a holiday." Liu Jie said that he would come again during the Spring Festival.

In Chongqing, the famous capital of hot springs," the hot spring industry is divided into different segments with different characteristics, such as health maintenance, healing, sports, music, beauty, joy, and other themes. According to Tianxing International Hot Springs staff, there are 13 hot spring pools featuring traditional Chinese medicine, such as osmanthus, figwort root, and wormwood. "These hot spring pools, with different temperatures and functions, can meet different needs of tourists."

Chongqing is home to hot spring-themed hotels, resorts, water parks, spa clubs, homestays, villas, and other hot spring projects. There are 139 hot springs in the main urban area, 53 in southeast Chongqing, and 32 in northeast Chongqing.

The Ronghui hot spring resort. (Photo/ Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development)

The second China Hot Spring Industry Expo and the Health Maintenance Festival of the World Hot Spring Capital will kick off in Chongqing from January 6 to 8 to improve the brand image of Chongqing and stimulate consumption in the hot spring industry. At that time, top-notch enterprises, including international hot spring promotion agencies, hot spring facilities, and equipment manufacturers, will gather in Chongqing to showcase cutting-edge products and the latest technologies of the whole industry chain.