CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- This year, the Double Seventh Festival falls on a weekend, offering couples and families more opportunities for travel and celebration. Ctrip’s data shows a significant boost in travel activity around the festival (from August 9 to 11), with domestic and nearby tour bookings rising by 37% and 82%, respectively, compared to last year. The demand for themed hotel rooms also saw nearly 100% year-on-year growth, highlighting the strength of the romantic travel market.

On this day dedicated to love, many couples opted for memorable experiences under the stars, atop mountains, or at special performances and events. Ctrip's data reveals that ticket sales for scenic spots rose by 87% year-on-year around the festival. In comparison, bookings for performance events skyrocketed by 308% compared to the previous year.

This year’s Double Seventh Festival was made even more romantic by the Perseid meteor shower. Couples seeking a magical night flocked to areas with minimal light pollution to witness the celestial display. Searches for meteor showers on Ctrip’s platform jumped by 213% month-on-month in the two weeks leading up to the festival. Top stargazing spots, including Xining, Dunhuang, Wulan, Zhongwei, Wulanchabu, Kangding, Mohe, Shennongjia, Ili, and Xigaze, saw a combined 106% increase in hotel bookings, with some cities like Xining, Zhongwei, Wulanchabu, and Mohe experiencing more than double the usual reservations.

When it comes to hotel bookings, Chongqing ranked alongside Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Qingdao, Guangzhou, Xi’an, Hangzhou, Nanjing, and Suzhou as one of the top ten cities with the highest reservation numbers on the night of the Double Seventh Festival. Additionally, there was notable growth in bookings for themed video rooms, ideal for couples seeking a private big-screen experience, and e-sports rooms, where singles could gather for gaming. These categories saw year-on-year growth of 92% and 74%, respectively, reflecting the diverse interests of travelers.

Chongqing’s attractions also hosted unique Double Seventh Festival events to captivate visitors. For instance, Meixin Red Wine Town in Fuling featured water-themed activities like the Double Seventh Festival Magpie Bridge Meeting, which included water mahjong and lover’s chess – playful ways for couples to test their connection and express their love. (Translated by Yuki, Fathom Language Limited)