Foreign passenger traffic from APEC member economies at Shenzhen Airport hit a historic high of 1.25 million in the first ten months of this year, local border inspection authorities said on Monday, as the city prepares to host the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting later this month.
The 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will be held in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, from November 18 to 19, with preparations in the final stretch.
As the meeting approaches, the airport port is seeing another surge in passenger flow, with international flights from APEC member economies including South Korea, Mexico and Malaysia arriving in succession at noon on Monday.
In addition to the APEC meeting, visa-free policies and the expansion of the international route network have driven notable growth in foreign passenger flows this year. In the first ten months, foreign nationals entering and exiting through the airport port totaled about 1.56 million passenger trips, up 27.7 percent year on year and a record high for the same period, according to the border inspection station.
A total of 1.25 million foreign nationals from APEC member economies received border inspection, up 29.6 percent year on year, also a record high for the same period. Travelers from Malaysia, South Korea, Singapore, and the United States ranked among the top sources.
Shenzhen Airport sees record passenger traffic from APEC economies in first ten months
A thriving crab-themed night market is drawing food lovers and enthusiastic visitors to Yiyang City in central China's Hunan Province, as the prime season for hairy crab consumption arrives, driving up the local night economy.
Local authorities have unveiled an event that blends culture, commerce and tourism to boost tourism spending during peak season for crab consumption.
Building on the five hairy crab restaurants on a once-quiet pedestrian street in the city's Datonghu Lake District, local authorities, in collaboration with business operators, have rolled out a package of measures, including bid invitation, extension of rent breaks and distribution of consumer vouchers, since September, virtually turning the entire pedestrian street into a bustling night market zone.
Beyond fine food, a lineup of nighttime performances, including singing and dance competitions and carnival-style activities, has been held to attract visitors. Local chefs compete in culinary challenges, crafting elaborate feasts featuring crabs and other local aquatic delicacies and drawing crowds of residents and tourists alike.
Since September, the Datonghu Lake District has received nearly 100,000 visits, generating approximately 100 million yuan (around 15 million U.S. dollars) in revenue across the dining, retail and hospitality sectors.
Located in the heart of the Dongting Lake area, the Datonghu District is a major hairy crab producer in Hunan. This year, the total output value of the local hairy crab industry is expected to exceed 900 million yuan (about 135.4 million U.S. dollars), an increase of about 5.88 percent year on year. Hairy crabs farmed in Yiyang have also been exported to overseas markets, including Singapore and the United Arab Emirates.
Crab-themed market boosts night economy in central China city
