Shanghai banks on top international artists to draw tourism spending
A recent month-long arts festival drew 20,000 visitors from abroad, according to organisers, boosting officials’ confidence in the strategy
Shanghai has rolled out the red carpet for world-class symphonies, singers, dancers and actors in the belief that highbrow performances can effectively spur tourism and spending amid a slump in retail sales.
“A big number of travellers from abroad travelled to Shanghai over the past weeks as they were captivated by top-notch performers,” she said. “The encouraging numbers cemented our belief in introducing more foreign artists to the city in the future.”
The center, a unit under the Shanghai Administration of Culture and Tourism, was the organiser of the one-month arts festival, which ended on Sunday.
Some 1,600 shows held during the festival brought about 20,000 overseas tourists to Shanghai, accounting for about 8 per cent of the total audience. People from other parts of the mainland made up 24 per cent of the attendees, the organiser’s initial data showed.
Overseas performers accounted for about 60 per cent of the shows, and more than 90 per cent of them were making their first appearance in Shanghai.
The festival’s activities, including forums, training camps and exhibitions, drew more than 10 million participants, it added.
