Shanghai is launching the 2026 “Shanghai Summer” International Consumption Season, an initiative aimed at boosting inbound tourism through enhanced digital infrastructure, integrated sporting events, and streamlined tax refund processes. According to Yuan Xiaoming, assistant minister of commerce, the city will leverage its regional advantages to create new consumption scenarios that cater specifically to international travelers.
How is Shanghai upgrading the international visitor experience?
City officials are prioritizing digital integration to simplify travel and shopping. Liu Min, deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, confirmed that the city is upgrading the “Easy Go” platform with artificial intelligence capabilities. This tool will now handle multilingual user commands to assist visitors with ride-hailing, ticket bookings, and translation.
Financial accessibility is also being modernized. Sun Yao, general manager of Shanghai City Tour Card Co Ltd, announced that the “Shanghai Pass”—a prepaid card for international travelers—now features a QR code product. This update allows visitors to access 150 museums and art galleries across the city. The pass remains compatible with public transportation systems in over 300 cities across China, providing a unified payment method for tourists.
Overseas travelers now account for at least 10 percent of total visitors at the Shanghai Museum, according to Chu Xiaobo, director of the Shanghai Museum.
Why are major sports events being used to drive tourism?
The city is positioning high-profile sporting events as central anchors for its summer consumption strategy. Running from July through October, the season includes the 2026 Rolex Shanghai Masters and the 2026 Motocross World Championship Shanghai leg.
Cui Jian, deputy head of the General Administration of Sport of China, stated that these major events serve as magnets for international tourists. By clustering these sports events with cultural and business activities, the city aims to generate incremental spending. This strategy is supported by the “10-minute business circle” model, which, according to Nicolas Willemot, global head of the consumer products practice at the consulting firm Bain & Co, allows for high efficiency and boosts instant retailing.
What changes are coming to tax refunds and logistics?
To reduce friction for shoppers, Shanghai is introducing a “mobile processing” platform for departure tax refunds. Liu Min noted that this system will allow travelers to handle tax refund shopping invoices, instant refunds upon purchases, customs verification and port tax refunds on their mobile phones.
Pro Tip: Planning your trip
Travelers can now apply for digital services, such as the Shanghai Pass, prior to their trips to Shanghai so that they can make purchases once they arrive in the city.
FAQ
- What is the “Shanghai Summer” International Consumption Season? It is an event series running from July to October that integrates sports, culture, and business to attract international tourists.
- Can I use the Shanghai Pass for museums? Yes, the pass has been upgraded with a QR code product that covers entry to 150 art galleries and museums citywide.
- How does the “Easy Go” platform help international visitors? It uses AI to identify user commands in multiple languages and provide digital and intelligent services such as ride-hailing, ticket booking, and translation.
- Are tax refunds handled at the airport? The city is introducing a mobile platform that allows travelers to handle tax refund shopping invoices, instant refunds upon purchases, customs verification and port tax refunds on their mobile phones.
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