A Culinary Boom in Quanzhou During Chinese New Year

　　As the first Chinese New Year to be celebrated after its recognition by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Quanzhou embraced innovation in its festive activities. The city's Commerce Bureau and Culture & Tourism Bureau partnered with Dianping Must-Eat List to launch the special event "Flavors of Maritime Quanzhou: A Festive Feast". This initiative seamlessly integrated food, travel, and intangible cultural heritage, showcasing Quanzhou's rich New Year traditions and deep-rooted culinary culture.

　　A Surge in Culinary Popularity

　　Throughout the festival, restaurants featured on the Must-Eat List saw a remarkable increase in business. According to real-time platform data:

　　The number of diners at listed restaurants rose by 15.9% compared to pre-holiday levels.

　　Orders increased by 30.3%.

　　Gross Transaction Value (GTV) surged by an impressive 40.0%.

　　These figures underscore Quanzhou's growing reputation as a culinary hotspot, drawing both domestic and international visitors.

　　Quanzhou is not only a historic and cultural landmark but also an undisputed food paradise. From bustling street stalls to upscale dining establishments, the city offers an array of mouthwatering delicacies. Among the must-try specialties at the 2024 Must-Eat List restaurants are:

　　Seafood Jelly (土笋冻) – a glistening, gelatinous seafood delicacy.

　　Oyster omelet (蚵仔煎) – crispy on the outside, tender within.

　　Misua soup (面线) – a fragrant and flavorful noodle broth.

　　Each dish embodies the craftsmanship and passion of Quanzhou's culinary tradition.

　　Boosting the Local Dining Economy

　　Quanzhou also launched innovative dining initiatives to enhance the festive experience:

　　The city promoted 12 regional signature menus under the "One County, One Table" campaign, driving over 10 million RMB in revenue.

　　Foreign guests were invited to experience Quanzhou's unique banquets, such as Citong Feast (刺桐宴), Jinyi Ancient Banquet (晋邑古筵), and Huinü Family Banquet (惠女家宴).

　　A curated list of 20 must-try dishes was released in collaboration with online platforms to guide visitors in their culinary exploration.

　　During the holiday, more than 2,000 restaurants remained open, while a government-backed dining voucher program worth 2.3 million RMB fueled the market's momentum. As a result, Quanzhou's dining sector saw:

　　A 20.3% increase in foot traffic.

　　A 15.6% rise in total food and beverage sales.

　　Enhancing Hospitality Infrastructure

　　To accommodate the surge in visitors, Quanzhou accelerated its "100 Hotels Development Plan." Ahead of the holiday season:

　　Six new hotels were launched, including two high-end properties.

　　Over 1,300 new guest rooms were added.

　　Additionally, the city encouraged fair pricing and quality service across hotels, ensuring a comfortable and diverse travel experience for visitors.

　　Sustaining Momentum for Cultural and Culinary Tourism

　　According to an official from Quanzhou's Commerce Bureau, the city witnessed a significant increase in tourist arrivals throughout the holiday, with the booming restaurant scene and flourishing tourism sector reinforcing each other in a positive cycle. Moving forward, Quanzhou aims to further promote its unique culinary culture, strengthening its appeal as a global travel destination while sharing the charm of Maritime Quanzhou with the world.