2026.03.31
1. Maritime Film Festival to Be Held Across Three Cruise Ships Simultaneously
Source: China Tourism Group (CTG)
Between late March and late June, Adora Cruises, part of Huaxia Cruises, will partner with Changchun Film Group to launch the Maritime Film Festival themed cruise season. The event will run concurrently aboard three vessels—Adora Shanghai, Adora Mediterranean, and Gulangyu—featuring screenings of classic films alongside innovative interactive activities for an immersive cinematic experience at sea.
2. Finance Makes Life Better
Source: Mastercard
Mastercard and the Bank of Shanghai signed a strategic cooperation agreement on March 12, with a focus on areas including cross-border payments. The agreement marks a new stage in their partnership that extends into corporate services and innovative payment solutions. The two have collaborated in the credit card business since 2003, building a portfolio that now spans Mastercard’s full product suite. Together, they have introduced more than 10 card categories, with credit card transaction volumes consistently ranking among the highest among China’s city commercial banks.
3. Jin Jiang International Named ITB China 2026 Official Hotel and Travel Partner
Source: ITB
On March 19, ITB China announced that Jin Jiang International will serve as the official hotel and travel group partner for ITB China 2026, scheduled to take place from May 26 to 28 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center. The collaboration is expected to boost Jin Jiang International’s global brand presence at the ITB China as an international tourism exchange platform while positioning it as a key representative of China’s hospitality sector in engaging in higher-level dialogue and cooperation with global tourism industry partners.
4. Mafengwo Releases 2026 Qingming Travel Forecast
Source: Mafengwo
Mafengwo’s big data shows that searches around Qingming holiday travel rose 229% week-on-week over the past week. The three-day holiday, which does not require make-up workdays, is driving demand for short-distance spring outings. Nearby travel demand has seen a year-on-year increase of 178%, with over 82% of travelers opting for trips lasting three days or less. The top 10 domestic destinations are Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Yangzhou, Xi’an, Guiyang, Dali, Wuxi and Huangshan, all of which are attracting visitors with strong spring tourism offerings and convenient transport.
5. Türkiye Culture and Tourism Deputy Minister Visits China for Industry Engagement
Source: Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency
On March 17, a Türkiye tourism promotion conference hosted by the Culture and Tourism Counsellor’s Office of the Embassy of Türkiye in China was held in Beijing, with representatives from more than 30 travel companies and online travel agencies in attendance. Gökhan Yazgi, Türkiye’s Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism, and Sinan Seha Türkseven from the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), attended the event and addressed attendees, highlighting the country’s tourism performance in 2025.
Data shows that Chinese visitor arrivals to Türkiye reached 425,348 in 2025, up 71% from 248,100 in 2023. The introduction of visa-free travel for Chinese citizens, which took effect on January 2, 2026, has further driven growth, with arrivals up approximately 47% year-on-year.
6. Bicester Collection Opens 2026 "Unlock Her Future" Prize Applications
Source: Bicester Collection
On March 12, the Bicester Collection officially opened applications for its 2026 "Unlock Her Future" Prize, inviting women social entrepreneurs from East and Southeast Asia to participate. The awards will be presented in October at Bicester Village Shanghai, coinciding with the outlet’s 10th anniversary and underscoring the Bicester Collection’s continued investment in China and support for women entrepreneurs in the region.
In parallel, Bicester Village Shanghai and Bicester Village Suzhou are staging a series of "Goddess Month" events throughout March, inspired by Mulan. Anchored by the Super Members’ Day launched on March 6, the month-long campaign features participation from more than 400 brands offering exclusive member benefits and limited-time vouchers, alongside themed experiences celebrating women.