Core Viewpoint - Xingcheng, a county-level city in Liaoning Province, is leveraging its strong swimwear industry to boost tourism, transitioning from a manufacturing hub to a tourist destination through innovative strategies and local engagement [2][19]. Group 1: Tourism Development - The local tourism bureau has implemented a "first inquiry responsibility system" and "advance compensation" mechanism to enhance visitor experience, aiming to resolve disputes quickly and maintain a positive image of Xingcheng [2][4]. - In the first eight months of this year, Xingcheng received 10.46 million domestic tourists, a year-on-year increase of 16.38%, with tourism revenue reaching 5.518 billion yuan, also up 16.17% [3]. - The city has seen a significant increase in hotel occupancy rates, with nearly full bookings during the recent National Day holiday, and has added nearly 8,000 new beds to accommodate the growing number of visitors [4][3]. Group 2: Cultural and Emotional Engagement - The city is focusing on creating emotional value for tourists, branding itself as "Happy Xingcheng" with a simple smiley face symbol to attract younger visitors [10][11]. - Local initiatives include creating engaging experiences such as the "Smile Road" and colorful installations that have garnered significant online attention, leading to increased visitor engagement [11][13]. - The average stay duration for tourists has increased from 1.2 days to nearly 2 days, with a notable decrease in the average age of visitors by 10 years [17]. Group 3: Swimwear Industry Synergy - Xingcheng is recognized as the largest swimwear production base in China, producing 200 million pieces annually, with a market share of over 40% domestically and 25% internationally, generating an output value of 15 billion yuan [2][19]. - The synergy between the swimwear industry and tourism is evident, as the local high-end swimwear brand "Fandean" has opened a store in the ancient city, integrating cultural elements into its products [19]. - The city aims to transform its manufacturing capabilities into brand value and immersive experiences, addressing challenges such as reliance on external suppliers and the need for brand differentiation [20]. Group 4: Future Aspirations - The local government has set ambitious goals to develop Xingcheng into a "tourism hotspot city," then a "residential tourism city," ultimately attracting talent for long-term residency [21]. - Strategies for future growth include enhancing planning, accelerating projects, innovating business models, and improving marketing and service quality to elevate the city's brand recognition [21].

Core Insights - The article highlights the transformation of Xingcheng, a small city in Liaoning Province, into a burgeoning tourist destination, driven by a combination of local initiatives and the unexpected popularity of the TV series "Riding the Wind and Waves" [2][6][10]. Tourism Development - Xingcheng has seen a significant increase in domestic tourism, with 10.46 million visitors from January to August this year, marking a 16.38% year-on-year growth, and tourism revenue reaching 5.518 billion yuan, up 16.17% [3]. - The city has implemented a "first inquiry responsibility system" and "advance compensation" mechanism to enhance visitor satisfaction, with the tourism bureau head emphasizing the importance of maintaining a positive impression of the city [2][3]. - The average stay of tourists has increased from 1.2 days to nearly 2 days, with a decrease in the average age of visitors by 10 years [17]. Economic Impact of Swimwear Industry - Xingcheng is recognized as the largest swimwear production hub in China, accounting for over 40% of the domestic market and 25% of the international market, with an annual output of 200 million pieces and a production value of 15 billion yuan [2][18]. - The local swimwear industry is benefiting from the tourism boom, with high-end brands like "Fandean" opening stores in the ancient city, integrating cultural elements into their designs [18]. Marketing and Branding Strategies - The local tourism bureau has adopted innovative marketing strategies, including the creation of a "Smile Road" and engaging social media influencers to promote the city [11][14]. - The city aims to enhance its brand recognition and market influence through comprehensive tourism initiatives that integrate local products and cultural experiences [21]. Future Aspirations - The local government has set ambitious goals to transform Xingcheng into a "tourism hotspot," then a "residential city," and ultimately attract talent for long-term settlement [19].

Group 1: Tourism Market Trends - The upcoming National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays are expected to drive significant growth in the tourism market, with a notable increase in travelers' willingness to travel and a shift towards experience-based consumption [1][2] - The Ministry of Transport predicts that the total number of travelers during the holidays will reach 2.36 billion, averaging about 295 million per day, which is a 3.2% increase compared to last year [2] - Self-driving remains the primary mode of travel, with an estimated 1.87 billion self-driving trips, accounting for nearly 80% of total travel [2] Group 2: Online Travel Platforms Performance - Major online travel platforms are reporting substantial increases in bookings, with a 130% surge in travelers on the Zhongxin Travel platform and a GMV of 117 million yuan, reflecting a growth of over 65% [3] - Tuniu reported over 60% growth in self-driving and free travel bookings, while group travel bookings increased by over 50% compared to the previous week [3] - Ctrip's data indicates a 45% year-on-year increase in cross-province travel orders, with a 115% increase in high-star hotel bookings among the younger demographic [3] Group 3: Quality and Experience in Travel - The trend towards high-quality travel products is evident, with a shift towards smaller group sizes for tours, enhancing the travel experience [4] - Emotional value is becoming a key factor in destination selection, with significant increases in searches for experiential products that combine scenery, culture, and activities [5] Group 4: Cultural and Recreational Integration - The integration of cultural and recreational activities is becoming a major trend, with increased interest in museum visits and archaeological tourism, leading to a rise in hotel searches near these attractions [6] - The popularity of events such as concerts and festivals is driving hotel and attraction searches, with some venues seeing search volume increase by over 200% [6] Group 5: Offline Consumption Trends - The offline consumption market is also experiencing a booking surge, particularly in dining and local cuisine, with significant growth in group purchases for regional dishes [7] - Notable increases in sales for various regional cuisines have been reported, with Yunnan and Guizhou cuisine seeing a 102% increase in group purchases [7] - Major restaurant chains are preparing for the holiday rush with new product launches and increased reservations, indicating a strong demand for dining experiences during the holidays [7]

Core Insights - The upcoming National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays are expected to see record-high tourist numbers and spending, with "inter-provincial border tourism" emerging as a popular choice for travelers [2] - The demand for immersive and emotional travel experiences is increasing, with a notable rise in interest for complex cultural and experiential tourism products [4] Group 1: Tourism Trends - The inter-provincial border cities are becoming popular travel destinations, with online travel platform data showing a 58% year-on-year increase in orders for these locations during the holiday [2] - Specific regions like Zhaotong, located at the intersection of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan, saw a staggering 95% increase in bookings, while Ganzhou, known for its unique Hakka culture, experienced a 70% rise in orders [2] - The overall enthusiasm for travel is significantly growing, with family trips becoming the mainstream choice as many travelers prefer to spend quality time with loved ones during the holidays [3] Group 2: Cultural and Experiential Offerings - The demand for immersive experiences is driving the popularity of tourism products that combine "scene + culture + experience," such as unique hotel stays and cultural exhibitions [4] - Zhangjiajie is launching a series of non-material cultural heritage exhibitions during the holiday, showcasing traditional performances and cultural experiences from various ethnic groups [4] - In Shaanxi, over 2,500 cultural and tourism activities are planned for the double holiday, including themed events and new tourism routes, enhancing the overall visitor experience [5] Group 3: Seasonal Attractions - The autumn season is attracting tourists to locations known for their fall foliage, with significant increases in hotel search volumes in regions like Benxi and Chongqing [3] - The Nangu Mountain scenic area is preparing for the 2025 International Red Leaf Festival, capitalizing on the peak leaf-viewing season [6]

Core Insights - The upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday is expected to set new records in both travel numbers and tourism spending, marking it as a significant travel window before winter tourism begins [3][7] - Inter-provincial border tourism is emerging as a popular choice, with online travel platforms reporting a 58% year-on-year increase in orders for inter-provincial border cities during the National Day holiday [1][3] Group 1: Travel Trends - The trend of "inter-provincial border travel" is gaining traction, allowing travelers to experience multiple provinces efficiently, with notable increases in bookings for cities like Zhaotong and Ganzhou, which saw increases of 95% and 70% respectively [1] - The demand for autumn-themed travel experiences is rising, with searches for destinations like Benxi and Wushan increasing by 20% and 60% respectively, indicating a shift towards immersive experiences rather than mere sightseeing [5][7] Group 2: Cultural and Thematic Activities - Various regions are enhancing their cultural offerings, such as Zhangjiajie hosting a series of non-material cultural heritage exhibitions during the holiday, showcasing ethnic minority performances [8][10] - Shaanxi province is organizing over 2,500 cultural and tourism activities, including themed events and new autumn travel routes, to attract visitors during the holiday [11][15] Group 3: Consumer Preferences - There is a growing preference for family-oriented travel experiences, with tourists seeking more control over their itineraries and a focus on emotional value in their travel choices [7] - The popularity of immersive and experiential travel products is on the rise, with searches for unique experiences like "watching the sunrise from a hotel bed" significantly increasing [7]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article highlights the significant increase in travel demand during the National Day holiday, driven by emotional value, time efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, with a shift from sightseeing to experiential travel [1][3][7] Group 2 - Inter-provincial border cities have become popular travel destinations, with a 58% year-on-year increase in holiday orders, particularly in cities like Zhaotong, Hezhou, and Ganzhou, which saw order increases of 95%, 88%, and 70% respectively [2] - High cost-effectiveness is a key consideration for travelers, with some destinations still offering competitive prices for flights and hotels compared to the previous year [2] Group 3 - Emotional value is now a primary factor in destination selection, with a 60% increase in hotel search interest for remote destinations like Xinjiang and Tibet, appealing to urban dwellers seeking relaxation and a return to nature [3] - Unique experiential products combining scenery, culture, and activities are gaining popularity, with significant interest in offerings like hotel stays with scenic views and cultural workshops [3] Group 4 - The autumn season has seen a rise in interest for fall-themed travel, with destinations like Benxi and Wushan experiencing increased search interest due to their autumn foliage [4] Group 5 - In outbound tourism, short-haul destinations like Japan and Thailand remain popular, while countries along the Belt and Road Initiative, such as Uzbekistan and Georgia, are emerging as hotspots for self-driving trips [5] - Safari experiences in Kenya and Tanzania have seen a 130% increase in holiday orders, reflecting a growing interest in unique travel experiences [5] Group 6 - The inbound tourism market is thriving, with significant interest from countries like South Korea and Japan, aided by recent visa-free policies that have boosted Russian tourist arrivals by 75% [6] - Major Chinese cities are enhancing their tourism services to accommodate international visitors, with initiatives like multilingual guides and cultural experiences [6] Group 7 - The evolving preferences for emotional value and niche exploration among travelers indicate a more diversified, in-depth, and emotionally driven travel market, supported by policy openness and service innovation [7]