The just-ended May Day holiday saw a robust recovery in the tourism market in the Shinan district of Qingdao city – in East China's Shandong province – boosting confidence for the future development of the sector, which had reportedly previously weathered some hard knocks form the novel coronavirus epidemic.

Qingdao, which was crowded with throngs of visitors during the break, actively marketed and promoted its classic scenic spots.

Creative markets were launched in three scenic spots – the Badaguan Scenic Area, Olympic Sailing Center and Qingdao Western Old Town. They catered to the increased volumes of visitors and helped promote its local culture and tourism.

Moon Market

The Moon Market, located in Taipingjiao in Shinan, is adjacent to a number of European-style restaurants as well as Taipingjiao beach's popular boardwalk.

As such, it is committed to creating an international market in Qingdao. During the holiday – through its seafood and wine, local cultural and creative performances and other events – hordes of visitors had a ball at the seaside.

Bai Jing, the director of the Moon Market, said the organizers were delighted with the result.

"We intended to create a business card for Qingdao's innovative fashion culture and let the whole country know that Qingdao is a fashionable, energetic and enthusiastic city," Bai added.

Olympic Sailing Center

The Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center, one of the 2008 Beijing Olympic venues, launched a cultural and creative product market for visitors to Shinan during the break.

Shi Peng, the manager of a cultural and creative brand named Art Forest, said that while Qingdao  had been depicted in literature, it still needed to be promoted to the outside world. The bazaar, he added, was therefore a platform, attracting young people to the scenic landscape of the city, but also the special culture of Qingdao.

Qingdao Western Old Town

During this year's May Day holiday, the Qingdao Old West City launched a slew of activities including a carnival market, music carnival and a gourmet carnival.

While the three markets appeared to have little in common, they also reportedly shared the same vision and function – to make culture and art visible and tangible and to make the cultural and creative industries of Qingdao more accessible to the outside world.