THE World Expo boosted tourism in the city with more than 4.2 million tourists arriving in Shanghai over the May Day holiday period (April 30 to May 4), nearly 25 percent more than the same period last year, local tourism authorities said yesterday.
But there was also an increase in Shanghai residents traveling abroad, with nearly 16,000 tourists in 1,363 groups going overseas for a trip - 90 percent more than during last year`s May Day holiday.
The city made nearly 1.8 billion yuan (US$263 million) in tourism revenue over the holiday, up about 26 percent from last year, said the Shanghai Holiday Office.
According to the local immigration authorities, there were 68 percent more Japanese tourists arriving in the city for the holiday than last year. They made up most of the inbound tourists and see Expo as a major attraction, officials said.
Local traffic authorities also reported a surge in travel during the May Day holiday. Locals also enjoyed a longer holiday this year as they had only three-day holiday last year (May 1-3).
The Metro system handled about 25 million passengers from April 30 to May 4, with 600,000 of them taking the subway to the Expo site.
More people, especially those from neighboring provinces, came to see the Expo, traffic officials said.
Both luxury and budget hotels reported a rise in bookings during the holiday.
Officials said the city`s two railway stations handled about 1.3 million people, a 13.9 increase from last year.
More than 400,000 passengers passed through the Shanghai South Long-distance Bus Station, the main terminal to neighboring Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces since April 30, officials said.
Many visitors also arrived on water, officials said, with cruise ships able to dock at a new ship terminal at the mouth of the Huangpu River.
But there was also an increase in Shanghai residents traveling abroad, with nearly 16,000 tourists in 1,363 groups going overseas for a trip - 90 percent more than during last year`s May Day holiday.
The city made nearly 1.8 billion yuan (US$263 million) in tourism revenue over the holiday, up about 26 percent from last year, said the Shanghai Holiday Office.
According to the local immigration authorities, there were 68 percent more Japanese tourists arriving in the city for the holiday than last year. They made up most of the inbound tourists and see Expo as a major attraction, officials said.
Local traffic authorities also reported a surge in travel during the May Day holiday. Locals also enjoyed a longer holiday this year as they had only three-day holiday last year (May 1-3).
The Metro system handled about 25 million passengers from April 30 to May 4, with 600,000 of them taking the subway to the Expo site.
More people, especially those from neighboring provinces, came to see the Expo, traffic officials said.
Both luxury and budget hotels reported a rise in bookings during the holiday.
Officials said the city`s two railway stations handled about 1.3 million people, a 13.9 increase from last year.
More than 400,000 passengers passed through the Shanghai South Long-distance Bus Station, the main terminal to neighboring Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces since April 30, officials said.
Many visitors also arrived on water, officials said, with cruise ships able to dock at a new ship terminal at the mouth of the Huangpu River.
