Core Insights - The article highlights the significant increase in international tourist arrivals and spending in China, particularly in Shanghai, driven by favorable policies and enhanced services for travelers [3][4]. Group 1: International Tourist Arrivals and Spending - In 2024, total spending by inbound tourists in China is projected to reach $94.2 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 77.8% [3]. - The number of foreign tourists received in China last year was 26.94 million, marking a 96% increase compared to the previous year [3]. - In the first quarter of this year, inbound foreign tourists reached 9.215 million, showing a year-on-year growth of 40.2% [3]. Group 2: Shanghai's Role in Inbound Tourism - Shanghai received over 6.7 million inbound tourists last year, an increase of 84%, maintaining its position as the top city for foreign tourist arrivals in China [3]. - The city achieved international tourism revenue of $11 billion, which is nearly an 80% increase and a historical high [3]. - In the first quarter of this year, Shanghai continued to see rapid growth in inbound tourism, with over 1.7 million tourists, a year-on-year increase of 37% [3]. Group 3: New Services and Initiatives - The "Easy Go" inbound service platform is set to launch in June, providing a one-stop solution for international tourists, including various travel services and discounts [3][4]. - The platform will feature instant tax refund services, enhancing the shopping experience for international visitors [4][5]. - Shanghai has upgraded its departure tax refund service to allow tourists to process refunds instantly using Alipay, marking the first "tap" tax refund service globally [5].

Group 1 - The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China will hold the "5·19 China Tourism Day" theme month from April 21 to May 31, featuring over 6,000 initiatives aimed at benefiting the public [1][2] - The core focus of the activities is "benefiting and pleasing the public," with measures including ticket discounts, consumption vouchers, and promotional events across various sectors [2][3] - More than 60 cooperating units, including Meituan, Alipay, and Ctrip, will invest over 1 billion yuan in subsidies, covering areas such as scenic spots, hotels, and transportation platforms [1][4] Group 2 - In the food sector, activities such as food exhibitions and special food festivals will be held, with platforms like Meituan and Ele.me launching promotional campaigns involving over 100,000 restaurants [2][3] - The accommodation sector will see promotions like "stay discounts" and "family packages," with major hotel groups offering exclusive member discounts and seasonal promotions [2][4] - Airlines will provide special ticket prices and discounts, while major scenic spots will implement ticket reduction policies to attract more visitors [2][3] Group 3 - In shopping, the Ministry will collaborate with e-commerce platforms to launch "Intangible Cultural Heritage Shopping Month," with various cities offering consumption vouchers to stimulate spending [3][4] - Entertainment activities will include ethnic parades and performances in over 30 cities, with platforms like Damai and NetEase Music promoting travel-themed events [3][4] - To attract international tourists, the Ministry will work with other departments to enhance entry convenience, including simplifying visa processes and optimizing multilingual services [3][4] Group 4 - Meituan plans to invest over 100 million yuan in various promotional activities, including a "100 Cities, 1,000 Flavors" campaign with a budget of 40 million yuan for seasonal promotions [4][5] - Alipay will collaborate with over 1,000 merchants to invest 350 million yuan, offering online special events and benefits for inbound tourists [4][5] - Gaode will distribute a total of 150 million yuan in discount coupons, enhancing user experience for both domestic and international travelers [5][6]