Guangxi's 'May Day tourism boom' fueled by concert fever

Guangxi's tourism sector is riding a wave of excitement as the May Day holiday approaches, driven by a surge in concert-related bookings. From April 25 to 27, Jay Chou's "Carnival" World Tour in Nanning attracted tens of thousands of fans, merging with the holiday rush to ignite a consumer spending frenzy.

According to data, searches for "concert makeup" soared by 179 percent ahead of the holiday, while ticket inquiries for the Nanning show surged 310 percent year-on-year. Hotels and dining venues near the Guangxi Sports Center, the designated concert venue, have reported an increase in search activity of over 500 percent.

The "concert economy" has transformed into a tourism magnet. Nanning integrated scenic spots, shopping districts, and nightlife with the event, launching a 2,600-square-meter floating night market and custom travel routes.

Post-concert, crowds flooded night markets like Langxi, where food stalls operated until dawn. "Our hotel was fully booked days before the show, with many guests extending stays through the May Day holiday," said a staff member in Langxi.

This trend reflects a broader shift: "Attending a concert and exploring a city" has become a youth travel norm. Guangxi, leveraging this, rolled out discounts on high-star hotels and tourist attractions, while Nanning launched 67 themed activities.

With Nanning's hotel bookings up 60 percent and Liuzhou's at 73 percent, Guangxi's unique border charm, adjacent to ASEAN, also lures "border tourism" enthusiasts.

Searches for hotels near Dongxing Port surged 255 percent, and food inquiries rose 171 percent. As the May Day holiday dawns, Guangxi's blend of music, culture, and commerce promises a vibrant holiday experience for visitors.