The first Shanghai International Cruise Festival kicks off on Friday and runs until August 31.
The festival, a highlight of the Shanghai Summer international consumer season, aims to further boost the city's cruise economy.
Shanghai International Cruise Port has become the leading cruise port in Asia and the fourth busiest in the world.
Since the resumption of international cruises in May last year, Shanghai's cruise economy has shown steady growth . It has greatly boosted local consumption, including duty-free trade at the port, said Zhu Min, director of the Shanghai Trade Commission.
From January to June, the port, including Wusongkou and North Bund cruise terminals, received 89 cruise ships ships and about 592,700 passengers.
This represents about 70 percent of China's total cruise passenger volume, marking a significant recovery to 70 percent from the same period in 2019, according to Zhang Qi , Deputy Director of the Shanghai Culture and Tourism Bureau.
Looking ahead, the port will welcome a total of 260 cruise ships and 1.5 million passengers throughout the year, demonstrating Shanghai's growing importance as a major cruise hub in Asia, Zhang said.
The festival will feature events highlighting the unique features of the various cruise lines connecting the city's key commercial areas.
For example, The cruise sports carnival from Friday to August 6 will include a martial arts performance on the Gulangyu cruise ship, as well as health lectures and martial arts exhibitions.
From August 9 to 11, there will be performances at the Nanjing Road Pedestrian Zone themed market featuring cruise line promotions, cultural exhibits and culinary experiences.
From August 16 to 31, Royal Caribbean, Adora and China Merchants Viking Cruises will host interactive events including family activities and performances at the piano, at the Global Harbor in Putuo District.
Baoshan is set to open its Yangtze River embankment during the national festival celebrations, providing more recreational space for residents, the district government said.
Long Beach Music Hall, designed by a renowned master of acoustics, will debut its first performance during the celebration.
Additionally, “The most beautiful recreational cycling route along the Yangtze River embankment in Shanghai" will be completed and open by the end of September.
The suburban area will introduce the "One ticket for all of Baoshan" product, allowing cruise passengers to explore Baoshan with their cruise tickets.
Suzhou Creek cruise ships will offer an afternoon tea package combining a boat ride on the creek with a visit to the 1000 Tian An Trees for tea, combining leisure and culture for a varied experience along the creek.
To enhance global recognition of the festival, the trade commission held a public competition for a logo and mascot for the event.
The chosen logo contains the acronym "SICF" (Shanghai International Cruise Festival), combining the Oriental Pearl Tower, a cruise ship, waves and the city's flower is the white magnolia.
The Ubao mascot is a baby dolphin holding a white magnolia, symbolizing Shanghai's cultural and maritime heritage.
Source: meet-in-shanghai
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