Latest news with #Ctrip
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
China Insight: Will China's Cultural Tourism Boom Power Fashion's Next Growth Engine?
In the post-pandemic economy, consumer desire is no longer driven solely by products but also by experiences that spark cultural resonance and emotional connection. As China navigates economic headwinds, a key question emerges: can the integration of culture and tourism serve as a catalyst to boost consumption and ignite new engines of growth, particularly in the fashion and lifestyle sectors? More from WWD Why Saudi Arabia and Qatar Are Primed for New Design Events as Contract Business Drives Demand Daniella Pierson Launches Chasm to Close the Gender Gap Through Entrepreneurship Not a Lot of Love for 520: Brands Rethink Local Campaigns Amid China Uncertainty The month of May — bookended by the May Day Golden Week and the Dragon Boat Festival — has become a vital barometer for evaluating China's cultural tourism momentum. The surge in domestic travel and experiential consumption during these holidays is not only reinvigorating local economies but also reshaping the urban fashion landscape in unexpected ways. According to official data, 314 million domestic trips were made during the May Day holiday alone — a 6.4 percent increase year-over-year — generating 180.27 billion yuan (about $24.97 billion) in tourism-related spending, up 8 percent from the previous year. While per capita spending has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, the rebound in demand signals a clear shift: consumers are prioritizing culturally immersive, emotionally resonant experiences that often intersect with fashion and lifestyle consumption. Cultural Immersion Meets Fashion Aspirations Trends such as 'reverse tourism' — in which travelers explore lesser-known towns and county-level cities — are gaining popularity. At the same time, attractions centered on the renewal of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) have emerged as major draws. National trend culture is sweeping the country, with searches for ICH-themed tourism surging and ticket reservations for heritage-focused sites up 132 percent year-over-year. Immersive, hands-on experiences have become particularly attractive to younger audiences. Data from Ctrip shows that workshops like ceramic art classes in Jingdezhen and traditional kesi (silk tapestry) weaving in Suzhou now attract thousands of daily participants. The blending of cultural performance and tourism has turned cities like Henan's Luoyang, Anhui's Anqing and Xinjiang's Kashgar into popular destinations offering deeper, story-rich experiences. Events such as the Puppet Carnival in Fujian's Zhangzhou and hand-painted lantern exhibitions in Sichuan's Zigong Lantern Museum further demonstrate how traditional crafts are being revitalized through design-forward, tourist-friendly formats. In this shift, cultural tourism is not just a leisure activity — it's becoming a new platform for fashion expression and consumption. Macao's Cultural Reawakening and the Rise of Experiential IP The evolution is not limited to mainland China. In Macao, the May 7 relaunch of 'The House of Dancing Water' — a 2-billion Hong Kong-dollar reinvention of the acclaimed show that had been on hiatus for five years — marks a milestone in cultural tourism's commercial potential. Attended by high-ranking officials and industry leaders, the premiere underscored Macao SAR's strategic pivot toward 'tourism+' as a model for economic diversification. Lawrence Ho, chairman and chief executive officer of Melco International Development, described the show as a symbol of Macao's aspiration to fuse entertainment, culture and tourism into a global narrative. The production, co-created with Italy's Peparini Studios, integrates technological innovation, multicultural storytelling, and a performance ensemble representing over 30 countries — including retired Olympic athletes — into an immersive, fashion-adjacent spectacle. The show's impact goes beyond the stage. With advance ticket sales exceeding MOP 180 million (about $115.4 million) and City of Dreams hotel occupancy soaring to 92 percent, 'The House of Dancing Water' is expected to draw over 500,000 attendees annually and significantly boost local employment. Moreover, the performance has established a new commercial ecosystem. Custom-designed costumes (24 sets in total), re-orchestrated symphonic scores and newly introduced characters such as 'the Sailor' are driving secondary consumption through merchandise and IP-based fashion collaborations — demonstrating the economic value of experiential culture. Policy Momentum and Urban Collaboration Backed by favorable national policies — ranging from tax incentives to funding subsidies and streamlined project approvals — cities across China are actively investing in the convergence of cultural, tourism and fashion economies. Shanghai is leading this charge. The city's 2025 'First in Shanghai' campaign, 55 Shopping Festival, and Shanghai Summer international consumption season are all examples of how municipalities are integrating retail activations with cultural programming. The 55 Shopping Festival alone featured 13 high-impact IP events over May and June, including innovative retailtainment experiences and premium business district promotions. In Beijing, the Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism partnered with the Singapore Tourism Board and Pop Mart to launch the 'Beijing×Singapore Pop Toy Show Dual City Plan.' Running from May 31 to June 20, the collaboration will explore the fusion of pop culture, fashion toys, and urban tourism through landmark activations in both cities — highlighting how trendy IPs can fuel cross-border cultural consumption. From Soft Power to Hard Value In today's globalized economy, cultural exchange is more than a diplomatic nicety — it is a strategic growth engine. The true revitalization of a city is not defined by skyscrapers or mega-malls, but by its ability to inspire, engage, and convert cultural energy into commercial and social value. As cities continue to experiment with immersive formats and fashion-forward cultural tourism, the potential to unlock new consumption models is clear. The chemical reaction between culture, tourism, and fashion is still evolving — but its impact on sustainable growth could be profound. Editor's Note: China Insight is a monthly column from WWD's sister publication WWD China analyzing key trends in that important market. Best of WWD The Definitive Timeline for Sean 'Diddy' Combs' Sean John Fashion Brand: Lawsuits, Runway Shows and Who Owns It Now What the Highest-paid CEOs at U.S. Fashion and Retail Companies Make Confidence Holds Up, But How Much Can Consumers Take?
The Herald Scotland
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Deloitte chief in Glasgow underlines 'scale up' challenge
Mr Mitchell was commenting in his first interview since succeeding Angela Mitchell (no relation) as Deloitte's new senior partner in Glasgow. Ms Mitchell is the firm's senior partner for Scotland and Northern Ireland. Mr Mitchell heads a team of 325 people who offer the full spectrum of service lines to business across a range of sectors in the city. Many staff work nationally although are technically based at the office on Queen Street. Asked to comment on the general outlook for business in Scotland, Mr Mitchell told The Herald: 'I think it has been a challenging time for the whole economy. [There has been] lots of uncertainty – global macroeconomics make it challenging. 'There continues to be that challenge around scaling. How do we make it easy, affordable, [and] worthwhile to stay and really scale businesses in Scotland, which I think is important for these businesses but also for how busy city centres are and what opportunities there are for people for employment. I think it is really important that we continue to support those businesses and help them scale." Referring to the success of Skyscanner, the travel technology specialist formed in Edinburgh that went on to be sold to Chinese company Ctrip for £1.4 billion in 2016, Mr Mitchell said the conversations people were having around the need to scale up more firms in Scotland and emulate that story are still taking place now. Read more: He said: 'I think back to meetings, gatherings and discussions 10 years ago and it was the same conversation we had at that point around scaling. How easy is it, and what do we need to do collectively [to make this happen]. And we have our own role to play in that, to help businesses grow and scale.' Pressed for his thoughts on why firms continue to find it challenging to scale up in Scotland, Mr Mitchell said: 'It is going to be different for every business. Sometimes scaling in Scotland would not necessarily be the right answer, and as you look at where the markets now are for businesses, technology and social media means that customers could probably be anywhere. If you go back a good number of years your customers tended to be around where you were doing business. Now it can be anywhere. 'Some of the things that continue to be talked about or flagged are access to finance, access to talent, it is all the same things. The challenges are similar.' Asked if some firms are denied the chance to scale up because they are acquired by companies based outside Scotland, Mr Mitchell said: 'Sometimes that is the right thing for the business. I guess it is then when those investors come in, how are we making Scotland still a competitive base for that business. 'It is good that a lot of time outside investment comes in – the key for us as an economy is then to make sure the environment they are buying into is competitive enough and attractive to stay there, even though the ownership might be from somewhere else. That then links back to the job creation and everything that flows off the back of that.' Read more: Mr Mitchell acknowledged that US tariffs have been one of many factors that have created uncertainty for businesses in Scotland this year. He expressed confidence that the depth of talent within Deloitte means there will always be someone within its team who will have the 'answer' to any questions thrown up by clients. Meanwhile, Mr Mitchell expressed his hope to expand the Deloitte team in Glasgow, and highlighted the pipeline of talent emerging from the city's universities. 'We look to continue to grow,' he said. 'We have a good opportunity to continue to get high-calibre graduates from all walks of life into the business here. One of our key goals and responsibilities as partners is to make sure that we are developing those individuals and giving them a real, rich opportunity within Deloitte to learn new skills, grow, and go on to fulfil whatever they want to in their careers. 'What we find is that a lot of people will start with us and then look to take advantage of either international travel or move around different departments up and down the country. London continues to be a pull for a variety of reasons. 'We continue to recruit strong numbers out of the universities and [are] looking to invest in the team internally. It is the year-end coming up so hopefully we will have a good number of promotions coming through.'
Korea Herald
25-04-2025
- Korea Herald
Rizhao, Shandong's sunshine destination, prepares for influx of tourists
Rizhao, a coastal city in East China's Shandong province famous, renowned for its water sports venues, scenic areas, seafood, and stunning sunrises, is gearing up for a culture and tourism feast to embrace tourists from around the world during the upcoming peak tourist season, as revealed at a press conference organized by the Information Office of the Rizhao Municipal People's Government on April 23. Ctrip, a leading online travel service provider in China, recently released its list of the top 100 destinations in China, with Rizhao being recognized as a "Classic Destination" and a "Coastal and Island Destination." During this year's May Day holiday, Rizhao will offer a rich array of cultural and tourism options, including holiday resorts, forest park, and immersive performances open to tourists. The city will also launch urban exploration activities connecting its top 10 key scenic spots, turning travel into a true adventure. During the peak tourist season, Rizhao will actively develop its cultural and entertainment economy and nurture local music brands. The city will also host major concerts, music festivals, and sporting events to enrich the experience for tourists. Local authorities are putting on a "Taste of Rizhao" culinary feast, launching a "Rizhao foodie" live program to promote local specialties and hidden gem eateries. By creatively combining traditional delicacies with gourmet coffee, they aim to create an immersive experience of Rizhao flavors that transcend time, blending old flavors with new scenes. Through markets, pop-up stores, and exploratory activities popular among young people, they strive to build a culinary social scene that is both delectable and Instagram-worthy. Moreover, the city will provide tourists with travel packages for dining, accommodation, and scenic areas, allowing every visitor to easily enjoy authentic Rizhao flavors and experience the city's renowned hospitality. This May Day holiday, Rizhao invites everyone to come and enjoy the unique charm and warmth of this coastal city.
Voice of America
29-01-2025
- Voice of America
Year of the Snake is underway with Lunar New Year festivities
Lunar New Year festivals and prayers marked the start of the Year of the Snake around Asia and farther afield on Wednesday — including in Moscow. Hundreds of people lined up in the hours before midnight at the Wong Tai Sin Taoist temple in Hong Kong in a bid to be among the first to put incense sticks in the stands in front of the temple's main hall. 'I wish my family will be blessed. I hope my business will run well. I pray for my country and wish people peace. I hope this coming year is a better year,' said Ming So, who visits the temple annually on the eve of the Lunar New Year. The holiday — known as the Spring Festival in China, Tet in Vietnam and Seollal in Korea — is a major festival celebrated by diaspora communities around the world. The snake, one of 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac, follows the just-ended Year of the Dragon. The pop-pop-pop of firecrackers greeted the new year outside Guan Di temple in Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur, followed by lion dances to the rhythmic beat of drums and small cymbals. Ethnic Chinese holding incense sticks in front of them bowed several times inside the temple before sticking the incense into elaborate gold-colored pots, the smoke rising from the burning tips. Many Chinese who work in bigger cities return home during the eight-day national holiday in what is described as the world's biggest annual movement of humanity. Beijing, China's capital, has turned into a bit of a ghost town, with many shops closed and normally crowded roads and subways empty. Traditionally, Chinese have a family dinner at home on New Year's Eve and visit 'temple fairs' on the Lunar New Year to watch performances and buy snacks, toys and other trinkets from booths. Many Chinese take advantage of the extended holiday to travel in the country and abroad. Ctrip, an online booking agency that operates said the most popular overseas destinations this year are Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, the United States, South Korea, Macao and Vietnam. Russians cheered, waved and took smartphone photos of a colorful procession with drummers, costumed dancers and large dragon and snake figures held aloft that kicked off a 10-day Lunar New Year festival in Moscow on Tuesday night. Visitors shouted 'Happy New Year' in Russian and expressed delight at being able to experience Chinese food and culture in Moscow, including folk performances and booths selling snacks and artwork.
Voice of America
29-01-2025
- Voice of America
Year of the Snake underway with Lunar New Year festivities
Lunar New Year festivals and prayers marked the start of the Year of the Snake around Asia and farther afield on Wednesday — including in Moscow. Hundreds of people lined up in the hours before midnight at the Wong Tai Sin Taoist temple in Hong Kong in a bid to be among the first to put incense sticks in the stands in front of the temple's main hall. 'I wish my family will be blessed. I hope my business will run well. I pray for my country and wish people peace. I hope this coming year is a better year,' said Ming So, who visits the temple annually on the eve of the Lunar New Year. The holiday — known as the Spring Festival in China, Tet in Vietnam and Seollal in Korea — is a major festival celebrated by diaspora communities around the world. The snake, one of 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac, follows the just-ended Year of the Dragon. The pop-pop-pop of firecrackers greeted the new year outside Guan Di temple in Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur, followed by lion dances to the rhythmic beat of drums and small cymbals. Ethnic Chinese holding incense sticks in front of them bowed several times inside the temple before sticking the incense into elaborate gold-colored pots, the smoke rising from the burning tips. Many Chinese who work in bigger cities return home during the eight-day national holiday in what is described as the world's biggest annual movement of humanity. Beijing, China's capital, has turned into a bit of a ghost town, with many shops closed and normally crowded roads and subways emptied out. Traditionally, Chinese have a family dinner at home on New Year's Eve and visit 'temple fairs' on the Lunar New Year to watch performances and buy snacks, toys and other trinkets from booths. Many Chinese take advantage of the extended holiday to travel both in the country and abroad. Ctrip, an online booking agency that operates said the most popular overseas destinations this year are Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, the United States, South Korea, Macao and Vietnam. Russians cheered, waved and took smartphone photos of a colorful procession with drummers, costumed dancers and large dragon and snake figures held aloft that kicked off a 10-day Lunar New Year festival in Moscow on Tuesday night. The Chinese and Russian governments have deepened ties since 2022, in part to push back against what they see as U.S. dominance of the world order. Visitors shouted 'Happy New Year' in Russian and expressed delight at being able to experience Chinese food and culture in Moscow, including folk performances and booths selling snacks and artwork.
