Shanghai emerged as a top choice for inbound tourism during the recent May Day holiday, thanks to the successful introduction of the “free half-day tour” program for travellers with layovers of more than eight hours.

Launched by Trip.com, a subsidiary of the Chinese online travel agency Ctrip Group, on 15th April, the program is designed to enrich visitor experiences and bolster China's reputation, leading to a 130% increase in inbound tourism bookings.

Tongcheng Travel's latest report on this year's May Day holiday travel trends identifies Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen in Guangdong province, along with Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan province, as popular destinations for inbound flights, showcasing their attractiveness to global travellers.

Furthermore, the increase in inbound tourism was also driven by Shanghai's “Visit Shanghai” campaign, spearheaded by the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism. 

This campaign, available in 14 languages and promoted on five major international social media platforms, strategically showcases the city's urban tourism charm.

Additionally, during the May Day holiday, Shanghai hosted events like the 2024 Shanghai Longines Global Champions Tour, Shanghai Auto Culture Festival, and Shanghai Coffee Week, drawing visitors from around the globe.

Significant crowds were also attracted to a series of art and cultural exhibitions, with over 200 offline exhibitions, 1,000 educational activities, and 10,000 public events enriching the city's cultural scene.

According to the city's tourism authority, Shanghai saw a 3.77% increase in visitors during the May Day holiday.