The 2019 Shanghai Tourism Festival attracted 25.7 million visitors from around the world from Sept 14 to Oct 6, a year-on-year increase of 48 percent, according to a report by the organizers.
In response to the festival’s mission of serving the people, 79 popular scenic spots in Shanghai offered half-price admission this year, more than any other year since the festival’s founding in 1990.
The Shanghai Municipal Culture and Tourism Bureau recommended 40 routes that combine urban sightseeing with cultural activities, which turned out to be a useful guide for tourists.
The 23-day festival is open to foreigners as well as Chinese citizens. Nearly 1,500 performers from a variety of countries participated in the opening parade and various other events across the city.
The festival also provided a boost to the night economy as tourists immersed themselves in busy night markets, where both a food festival and a beer festival were held.