For International Travelers:
- Guangzhou inbound arrivals surged over 60% YoY from April 14 to May 5, driven by the Canton Fair and May Day overlap
- The Canton Fair's opening two days generated 90% of Qingming Festival's total inbound traffic and nearly 70% of Spring Festival's volume
- Combined Canton Fair + May Day period saw order volume increase 41%, with Guangdong's overall inbound tourism up 39%
- International visitors are shifting from traditional sightseeing to experience-focused tourism, with distinct preferences across nationalities
- The "Business + Leisure" model is gaining momentum, creating new opportunities for inbound tourism
The convergence of the China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) and May Day holiday in spring 2026 has created an unprecedented peak season for inbound tourism in Guangzhou and the entire Guangdong region. According to the latest data from Ctrip, inbound tourist arrivals to Guangzhou surged over 60% year-over-year between April 14 and May 5, setting new records and reinforcing Guangzhou's position as a premier international travel destination.
As China's oldest and largest comprehensive international trade event, the 139th Canton Fair officially opened on April 15. Data reveals that within just two days of the fair's opening, Guangzhou's inbound arrivals reached 90% of the Qingming Festival holiday total and nearly 70% of the Spring Festival volume. This phenomenon underscores that the Canton Fair is not merely a trade exhibition but a powerful engine driving inbound tourism.
| Key Metrics | Performance | YoY Growth |
|---|
| Total Guangzhou Inbound (Apr 14 - May 5) | — | +60% |
| Guangdong Overall Inbound Growth | — | +39% |
| Combined Period Order Volume | — | +41% |
| Canton Fair 2-Day vs Qingming Festival | 90% of Qingming | — |
| Canton Fair 2-Day vs Spring Festival | 70% of Spring Festival | — |
The overlap of the Canton Fair and May Day holiday brought not only business travelers attending the exhibition but also sparked a wave of "business + leisure" composite tourists. Many overseas buyers chose to extend their stay in Guangzhou and surrounding areas after completing their business activities, exploring Lingnan culture, savoring Cantonese cuisine, and discovering the Greater Bay Area cities. This "business-driven tourism" model has injected fresh vitality into the inbound tourism market.
During this Canton Fair and May Day period, inbound visitors' consumption preferences showed a clear transformation—from traditional sightseeing to deep, experience-focused travel. Tourists from different countries and regions demonstrated diverse interests:
- European & American Visitors: Prefer cultural experiences such as Lingnan architecture tours, intangible cultural heritage workshops, and traditional tea ceremonies
- Southeast Asian Visitors: Drawn to culinary exploration and city tours—Guangzhou morning tea, Cantonese cooking classes, and Pearl River night cruises are particularly popular
- Japanese & Korean Visitors: Favor the blend of historical culture and modern commerce, with locations like Beijing Road Pedestrian Street and Yongqing Fang seeing rising popularity
- Belt & Road Countries Visitors: Beyond business activities, increasing interest in Greater Bay Area tech innovation experiences
Guangzhou's outstanding performance has also driven prosperity across Guangdong's inbound tourism market. Data shows that during the Canton Fair and May Day combined period, Guangdong's overall inbound tourism orders increased 39% year-over-year, with order value growth exceeding 40%. Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, and other Greater Bay Area cities, serving as "overflow" destinations from Guangzhou, also recorded substantial tourist growth.
Ready to experience the unique charm of Guangzhou during the Canton Fair season? Our expert travel team can help you design the perfect itinerary, whether for business考察 or leisure vacation.
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