Shanghai welcomed 16.5 million visitors during the recent May Day holiday, a notable year-on-year increase of 1.61 percent, according to big data analysis by the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism. 

The city's tourism sector witnessed a surge in activity, with total transactions amounting to 20.11 billion yuan ($2.79 billion), a substantial 10.2 percent increase compared to the previous year.

To enhance the holiday experience, Shanghai organized a series of events over the five-day period. Evening activities, including fireworks shows at prominent locations like the International Cruise Terminal, Haichang Ocean Park, and Jinshan City Beach, along with light and shadow performances in Lin-gang Special Area, captivated both locals and tourists.

These events significantly boosted accommodation consumption, with hotel room occupancy rates reaching 73 percent — an increase of 6.5 percentage points year-on-year.

Outdoor markets and natural exhibitions emerged as major attractions during the holiday. Notable events included the 3rd Shanghai Bay Peony Festival at Langxia Country Park and the Rose Camping Festival at Changxing Island Country Park.

Additionally, Zhujiajiao, a well-preserved water town in Qingpu District, hosted the Intangible Cultural Heritage Coffee Culture Week, while Nanxiang Water Town in Jiading District featured an animation market with music flash mobs, drawing an average of 80,000 visitors daily.

Entertainment remained a top choice among holidaymakers, with 660 commercial performances held in Shanghai, attracting around 740,000 attendees — an impressive 25.91 percent increase from the previous year. Box office earnings soared to approximately 163 million yuan, a significant 59.41 percent rise compared to the same period last year.

The city also saw a surge in inbound and outbound passenger traffic, with 594,000 passengers recorded during the holiday — an average of 119,000 per day, a substantial 30.7 percent year-on-year increase. Shanghai Pudong International Airport handled around 507,000 passengers, while Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport received about 50,000 passengers.

The popularity of inbound tourism was further bolstered by the continuous optimization of visa-free policies and departure tax refund procedures for international visitors.

Online platforms reported a remarkable 173 percent year-on-year increase in inbound travel orders, with Shanghai emerging as one of the most sought-after destinations for tourists during the May Day holiday.

Shanghai's efforts to optimize its departure tax refund system were evident during the holiday, with initiatives like the installation of the country's first self-service tax refund machine at the New World Daimaru department store.

This move aimed to streamline the tax refund process for international tourists, enhancing their shopping experience in the city.