Ordos tourism generates $19.78m during Dragon Boat Festival

The city of Ordos – in North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region – this year received 343,000 tourists over the three-day Dragon Boat Festival holidays, which fell on June 25-27.

Revenues generated by tourism reached 140 million yuan ($19.78 million), according to local authorities.

Impacted by the novel coronavirus epidemic, the operations of inter-provincial travel agencies had not yet restarted and individual passengers were the mainstay of the tourism market.

Officials said short-distance self-drive tours and visits to neighboring cities were the main ways for tourists to travel.

Tourism statistics showed that during the Dragon Boat Festival holidays, tourists visiting Ordos were mainly from Baotou, Hohhot and Bayannur cities in Inner Mongolia autonomous region, as well as from Shaanxi, Shanxi, Hebei and Henan provinces.

The Dongsheng district, Dalad Banner and Jungar Banner in Ordos city were the top three performers, in terms of the number of tourists received.

City officials said the rate of tourist attractions resuming operations reached 84 percent during the holiday and A-level tourist attractions were still the first choice for tourists.

The Kangbashi Tourist Area, Ordos Wildlife Park and the Grassland Silk Road Cultural Scenic Spot were top attractions in the city, receiving more than 46,000 tourists in total.

Since mid-June, Ordos has taken a lead in carrying out themed activities in the autonomous region to boost its cultural and tourism market.

They include cultural performances, handicrafts exhibitions and displays and sales of creative and cultural products.