Shanghai records growing tourist arrivals, spending during Spring Festival holiday

 

^{During the Spring Festival holiday, Shanghai launched more than 2,570 featured cultural and tourism activities.}


SHANGHAI, Feb. 26, 2026 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/--

During the nine-day Year of the Horse Spring Festival holiday, Shanghai launched more than 2,570 featured cultural and tourism activities to promote travel to the bustling city, fueling a robust boom in Spring Festival cultural and tourism consumption as both visitor numbers and consumption in the cultural and tourism market saw steady growth.

Big data from Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism shows the city received a total of 21.6721 million visitor arrivals, an 8.36% year-on-year increase. Total tourism consumption reached 25.614 billion yuan, surging 20.90% from the previous year.

The average room occupancy rate of local hotels and guesthouses rose to 50.60%, up 3.10 percentage points year-on-year.

The promotion campaign leveraged the outcomes of the first high-level competition to introduce Shanghai's tourism and integrated the city's cultural, tourism, commerce, sports and exhibition resources.

Product innovation and transformation drove Shanghai's Spring Festival cultural and tourism development this year, spawning a new trend of spending the Chinese New Year in the city.

Shanghai's cultural and tourism authorities rolled out over 130 in-depth Spring Festival tour routes under three themes, which became bestsellers on OTAs via live-stream sales on major platforms. Inbound tourists from niche markets like Greece and Slovenia doubled, experiencing the unique charm of Jiangnan and Shanghai culture immersively.

Shanghai also created premium IPs such as the themed tour routes. With joint efforts of multiple departments, 353 themed activities were launched on the "Hu Xiaoyou" smart travel service platform. At the same time, science popularization and industrial tourism also gained traction, making Shanghai the top choice for enjoying the Spring Festival elsewhere besides the hometown.

Key cultural and commercial landmarks, including West Bund GATE M, Panlong Ancient Town and Zhangyuan Garden, held Spring Festival fairs and garden parties, creating new urban Chinese New Year rituals. For the first time, Shanghai hosted large-scale concerts during the holiday, with Richie Jen's and Capper's concerts drawing numerous fans from across the country.

The blend of Shanghai-style Chinese New Year vibes and trendy Chinese cultural elements boosted the festive folk atmosphere in the city. Centering on experiencing the vibe of ordinary life, Shanghai launched a city-wide lantern show campaign. The lantern shows at Yuyuan Garden and the Inlet lit up the city's nights with stunning light displays.

Intangible cultural heritage fairs and master chefs' kitchens were set up in urban cultural and tourism complexes and suburban ancient towns. Some high-end hotels have integrated intangible cultural heritage into one-stop stays that integrate accommodation, dining, and travel experiences. Local traditional delicacies such as Shanghai cuisine and Nanxiang steamed buns offered visitors authentic Chinese New Year flavors.

Looking forward, Shanghai will further integrate cultural and tourism resources, pursue continuous product innovation, boost the upgrading of cultural and tourism consumption, and let more people feel the hospitality and vitality of Shanghai's cultural and tourism industry.

Source: Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism

CHINA’S GUANGDONG PROVINCE LAUNCHES 2026 AGENDA TO INTEGRATE MANUFACTURING, SERVICES

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 25 (Bernama) -- Guangdong province unveiled its 2026 economic agenda at a High-Quality Development Conference on Feb 24, outlining plans to more closely integrate its manufacturing base with its expanding services sector.

Provincial leaders said the strategy is designed to strengthen Guangdong’s role as one of China’s most dynamic economic regions by upgrading its industrial structure and building a “modern industrial system” in which advanced manufacturing and modern services reinforce each other.

Guangdong Party Secretary, Huang Kunming said closer integration is increasingly important as global industries become more digital, technology-driven and service-orientated, noting that the province is already a major manufacturing hub as well as a centre for finance, logistics, trade and technology services.

Digitalisation and artificial intelligence were identified as core drivers of the new agenda. Guangdong’s large industrial clusters, data resources and real-world application scenarios position it to lead in smart manufacturing, industrial internet platforms and integrated “manufacturing + services” solutions, while the real economy will remain the policy priority.

The province will continue to support small and medium-sized enterprises, specialised manufacturers and innovation-focused firms, including highly specialised “little giant” companies, single-product manufacturing champions and leading service providers.

Guangdong aims to strengthen industrial ecosystems by fostering platform-based companies that link supply chains, research institutions and service providers, and by extending technological innovation into traditional industries, according to a statement.

Talent development and openness were highlighted as key enablers. Guangdong plans to further develop the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as a high-level talent hub and continue its programme to attract one million professionals, while drawing more international resources into both manufacturing and services and supporting local companies’ overseas expansion.

Officials said the branding of “Guangdong Manufacturing” and “Guangdong Services” will be strengthened ahead of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030).

-- BERNAMA

CGTN PARTNERS GLOBAL MEDIA OUTLETS TO BROADCAST 2026 SPRING FESTIVAL GALA LIVE

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 23 (Bernama) -- China Global Television Network (CGTN) partnered its multilingual platforms in 85 languages with more than 3,500 media outlets across over 200 countries and regions to broadcast and report live on the 2026 Spring Festival Gala produced by China Media Group.

The annual gala, which aired on the eve of the Chinese New Year, was broadcast nationwide and globally, and remains a long-standing cultural tradition associated with family reunions in China.

As the Chinese New Year continues to evolve into a global celebration, the Spring Festival Gala has increasingly aimed to share the festive spirit and showcase the richness of Chinese culture to international audiences.

This year’s gala featured a wide range of performances, including music, comedy, traditional arts, magic and acrobatics, offering audiences a showcase of both classical and contemporary Chinese culture.

One of the highlights was a cross-cultural acrobatic performance that blended traditional Chinese techniques with international staging and choreography, symbolising dialogue and mutual appreciation among civilisations.

For many Chinese people, the Spring Festival Gala has become far more than a television programme, serving as an indispensable "cultural feast" and emotional bond for the Chinese people on the eve of the Chinese New Year, according to a statement.

Broadcast in multiple languages, the gala enabled overseas Chinese audiences to join the celebration with families in China, bridging geographical distances and reinforcing a shared cultural identity.

The production also incorporated advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR) and extended reality (XR), transforming the stage into an immersive, multidimensional environment.

The Year of the Horse extravaganza marked one of the most technologically advanced galas in the event’s 43-year history, with AI applications and robotics integrated into the programme’s artistic presentation and storytelling.

-- BERNAMA

Jinjiang Culture & Tourism Group · 2026 "Samaranch Cup" Asian Basketball Masters Invitational Tournament Concludes in Fujian, SE China

 

^{Champions List for Youth Age Groups and Adult Men's 3x3 Event}


JINJIANG, China, Feb. 10, 2026 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/--

The Jinjiang Culture & Tourism Group · 2026 "Samaranch Cup" Asian Basketball Masters Invitational Tournament, co-hosted by the Samaranch Foundation and the Jinjiang Municipal People's Government, came to a successful close on Feb. 6 in Jinjiang City, Fujian Province, following six days of intense competition.

A variety of supporting activities complemented the main event, such as an Asian Youth Basketball Salon, a cultural visit to Jinjiang's Wulin area for international athletes, a "Basketball Little Talents" outreach program, and a cultural-tourism consumption fair. These initiatives leveraged the tournament to foster innovation in the integration of sports, culture, and tourism.

This event represents the Samaranch Foundation's inaugural comprehensive Asian basketball tournament in China. Its objectives are to promote basketball throughout Asia, advance public fitness campaigns, spread the Olympic spirit, and facilitate international cultural exchanges.

Source: Organizing Committee of the Jinjiang Culture & Tourism Group · 2026 "Samaranch Cup" Asian Basketball Masters Invitational Tournament

INTERSYSTEMS WINS FOUR GLOBAL 2026 BEST IN KLAS AWARDS

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 (Bernama) -- InterSystems, a creative data technology provider, has received four Global 2026 Best in KLAS awards, including top rankings for Acute Care EHR in Asia, Oceania and France, and for Shared Care Records in Europe.

InterSystems earns four Best in KLAS awards for 2026

The Global Best in KLAS awards, presented by KLAS Research, form part of its annual assessment of healthcare software and services and are based on independent feedback from healthcare organisations across multiple international markets.


The awards recognise top-performing healthcare technology solutions solely on feedback from healthcare provider organisations outside the United States, using a standardised KLAS Research evaluation methodology.


"At InterSystems, our mission has always been to build solutions as a joint effort with real end users on their real problems and opportunities in their world," said InterSystems President, Don Woodlock in a statement.


He said the four awards reflected direct feedback from clinicians and healthcare leaders using the company’s technology.


Meanwhile, KLAS Research Chief Executive Officer, Adam Gale said the Best in KLAS awards recognise vendors that consistently deliver value through strong partnerships with healthcare organisations and help providers improve patient care, outcomes and return on investment.


InterSystems TrakCare was ranked number one for Acute Care EHR in France, Asia and Oceania, reflecting feedback from healthcare organisations in each market.


InterSystems HealthShare was recognised as the leading solution for Shared Care Records in Europe, marking its third consecutive Best in KLAS award in this category, following wins in 2024 and 2025.


-- BERNAMA

CGTN: CHINA’S 2026 SPRING FESTIVAL TRAVEL RUSH SET TO BREAK RECORDS

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 3 (Bernama) -- China’s annual Spring Festival travel rush, or chunyun, is set to begin on Feb 2 and run for 40 days, with an estimated 9.5 billion inter-regional passenger trips, according to China Global Television Network (CGTN).

In a statement, CGTN said the migration, the largest human movement on the planet, coincides with a nine-day holiday and reflects broader social changes in China.

Officials project that private vehicles will account for roughly 80 per cent of trips, while rail and air travel are expected to hit historic highs of 540 million and 95 million passengers, respectively.

Expanded highway charging networks, high-speed rail infrastructure exceeding 50,000 kilometres, and advanced emergency services are all in place to support the surge.

In addition to logistics, "heartwarming services" are being introduced to improve passenger experience. Quiet carriages on over 8,000 high-speed trains will provide calm spaces, and staff will offer disposable earplugs and children’s activity packs.

Seniors will benefit from priority check-ins at airports, while pet owners can use "Pet Rail" services across multiple stations.

The travel rush culminates with the Spring Festival on Feb 17, China’s Lunar New Year, celebrated with family reunions, festive meals, decorations, and traditional crafts.

Cultural programming, including the "Spring Festival Gala" and CGTN’s "Super Night" broadcast, highlights the country’s heritage to billions of viewers worldwide.

CGTN reported that chunyun is more than a transportation event; it offers a lens into China’s evolving society, reflecting both technological advancements and a growing focus on inclusivity and passenger comfort.

-- BERNAMA

EF launches search for strategic partner in bid to become world’s best cycling team

Additional investment builds on EF’s existing commitment and will go towards building Tour de France Femmes winning squad and long-term talent development on men’s and U23 squads

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Feb 3 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EF (Education First) is launching an unprecedented and unique opportunity, opening the first naming rights for EF Pro Cycling to an additional partner ready to shape the next era of professional cycling together with EF.

EF will remain the team’s owner and long-term anchor partner at an unchanged level of investment. The opening of a title partner position is designed to add resources on top of EF’s existing commitment, enabling the team to compete with the largest budgets in the sport and accelerate its ambitions. This opportunity gives a partner the chance to help build the team of the future alongside EF, while gaining visibility in front of millions of fans worldwide.

EF’s long-term vision is focused on three clear outcomes:

• Win the Tour de France Femmes within the next three years
• Continue building the world leading development pathway in professional cycling
• Win both men’s and women’s Tours de France within the next decade with riders developed through the EF Pro Cycling system

“It’s rare in professional sport, and nearly unheard of in cycling, for an owner and anchor partner to commit long-term at EF’s current level and still invite an additional title partner to invest purely to make the team stronger,” says team CEO Jonathan Vaughters. “We owe a great deal to EF. They recognize the incredible opportunity we have to keep building something truly special.”

Founded in 2003 on the belief that fans deserved a team they could trust, the team has won monuments, Olympic medals, world championships, and a grand tour while also broadening the horizons of the sport with victories at gravel events like Unbound. EF acquired the team in 2017, recognizing the parallels between cycling’s global spirit and the company’s mission of opening the world through education and cultural exchange.

“Our sport has changed dramatically over the past two decades,” says Vaughters. “WorldTour budgets have risen at an unprecedented pace, and we see this as an opportunity to partner with a brand that shares our vision of winning at the highest level while staying true to who we are.”

The team will keep building around key riders such as Ben Healy, Magdeleine Vallieres, Kristen Faulkner, Richard Carapaz and Neilson Powless – who have all signed long-term contract extensions with the team – while also developing the exciting young talents already proving themselves on the world stage.

“This is a unique opportunity for an organization to partner with a global team and organization such as EF. Together, we can build a team that extends far beyond traditional sponsorship, creating lasting value and impact for years to come,” says EF Education First Global Chief of Staff and EF Pro Cycling President Maria Norrman.

On-bike success has always been the foundation of EF Pro Cycling, complemented by one of the strongest and most engaged digital platforms in professional cycling. Since 2017, the team has consistently ranked among the top teams in the sport for social media impressions and engagement, while delivering one of the strongest returns on investment for a title partner across professional sports, according to Nielsen Analytics.

Just as importantly, EF Pro Cycling is defined by the longevity and consistency of its partnerships with brands such as EasyPost, Cannondale, Wahoo and POC. These long-term partners have helped build EF Pro Cycling into what it is today, remaining committed far longer than is typical in professional sport. This reflects a shared belief in the team’s values, spirit, and long-term vision.

“Title sponsorship amplifies the reach to the cycling audience, and EF Pro Cycling is well positioned to benefit from the trends and growth in the cycling audience and viewership,” says Nielsen Sports Commercial Director and Head of Cycling Jerome Bouchat. “This team cultivates its own image to stand out and understands that to attract brands, it must be as visible as possible and offer powerful storytelling.”

Join us and enter the next chapter of our 23-year history as we build the world’s best team.
Interested in partnering with us? Email: hello@efprocycling.com

About EF
Founded in 1965, EF (Education First) is a global association of education companies that shares a common mission of opening the world through education, offering language, academic, cultural exchange, and educational travel programs.

About EF Pro Cycling
At EF Pro Cycling (division of EF), we believe the world is better when people push boundaries together. Our men’s WorldTeam squad, EF Education-EasyPost; our women’s WorldTeam squad, EF Education-Oatly; and our development squad, EF Education-Aevolo; compete in the biggest events around the world both on and off-road. From the Tours de France to Unbound Gravel, we race, explore, and push the boundaries of what pro cycling can be. Since our founding in 2003, we have championed ethical competition and sought to disrupt the status quo. Our mission is to become the world’s most-loved team.


CONTACT
Johannes Manson
Marketing and Communication Director
EF Pro Cycling
johannes.manson@ef.com
efprocycling.com

MEDIA RESOURCES
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PASSWORD: Press2026


SOURCE: EF Pro Cycling

--BERNAMA