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天水麻辣烫、淄博烧烤、荣昌卤鹅⋯⋯每经记者重访网红城:后网红时代,如何重塑城市经济活力?
Mei Ri Jing Ji Xin Wen·2025-10-09 11:49

Core Insights - The tourism market in China is experiencing a revival, with traditional destinations maintaining popularity while smaller cities are emerging as new favorites due to social media influence and the flow economy [1] - The article explores how "internet-famous" cities can transition from temporary popularity to sustainable growth, focusing on the resilience and development strategies of these cities [1] Group 1: Tianshui's Transformation - Tianshui, a small city in Northwest China, gained attention through its spicy hotpot, leading to a significant increase in tourism and local businesses [2] - The number of hotpot restaurants in Tianshui has surged to approximately 1,400, a fivefold increase since its rise to fame [2] - Tianshui aims to establish its hotpot as a regional culinary symbol, applying for recognition as a "Chinese Famous Snack" and forming an industry association [5] Group 2: Economic Impact and Visitor Trends - In 2024, Tianshui is projected to receive 59.5 million tourists and generate tourism revenue of 38.3 billion yuan, both showing over 23% growth year-on-year [5] - The city has seen a diversification in its visitor demographics, attracting tourists from eastern and coastal cities, indicating a broader appeal [6] - Tianshui's local government is actively leveraging the tourism boom to attract investment, with 253 signed projects totaling approximately 79.86 billion yuan [8] Group 3: Zibo's Strategic Shift - Zibo, another city that gained fame for its barbecue, is working to expand its tourism beyond this single attraction, aiming for a more comprehensive cultural tourism strategy [10] - The city has set ambitious goals to receive 65 million tourists and achieve over 64 billion yuan in tourism revenue by 2026 [11] - Despite concerns about declining interest in barbecue, Zibo's key tourist sites reported a 12% increase in visitor numbers and a 121.3% increase in revenue in 2024 [11] Group 4: Rongchang's Adaptation - Rongchang, known for its "Lu Goose," experienced a surge in tourism, with 2.34 million visitors during the May Day holiday, leading to significant economic activity [20] - The local government has implemented a development plan to enhance the goose industry, targeting over 1 billion yuan in output by 2026 [22] - The city is facing challenges in maintaining supply for the increased demand, highlighting the need for sustainable growth strategies [20]