Core Insights - Guangzhou's tourism market showed significant growth in the first half of 2025, with total visitors reaching 113 million, a year-on-year increase of 6.3%, and tourism consumption totaling 162.18 billion yuan, up 8.1% [2] - The city has become a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists, with inbound overnight visitors increasing by 14.4% to 2.605 million and inbound tourism consumption rising by 16.8% to 1.88 billion USD [2][3] - Guangzhou is leveraging major events like the upcoming 15th National Games to enhance its tourism appeal, promoting a "watching events + tourism" model to stimulate economic growth [5][6] Tourism Growth - Inbound tourism has emerged as a new engine for Guangzhou's cultural and tourism economy, driven by policies such as the 240-hour visa-free transit and the "China Travel" trend [3] - The city has actively engaged in promotional activities, including the "Guangzhou Welcomes You" campaign, to attract global tourists [3][4] - Guangzhou's international influence is recognized, having been awarded the title of "Most Influential Inbound Tourism City" at the Weibo Tourism Night [4] Event-Driven Tourism - The 15th National Games, set to open on November 9, 2025, is expected to boost tourism through a series of events and activities that highlight the city's cultural and sporting attractions [5][6] - The city has introduced 50 tourism routes connecting various cultural landmarks, enhancing the visitor experience during the event [6] Arts and Culture Integration - Guangzhou is focusing on becoming an "International Performing Arts Center," with initiatives like the 2025 Guangzhou Arts Season promoting the integration of arts and tourism [7] - The city has seen a surge in performing arts events, with nearly 60,000 performances approved in the first half of the year, including large-scale events attracting over 5,000 attendees [7][8] - The combination of "performing arts + tourism" is expected to further elevate Guangzhou's status as a vibrant cultural destination [8]