The Experience Shanghai Carnival kicks off with an opening ceremony at the Oriental Fisherman's Wharf in Shanghai's Yangpu district on June 28. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The 2024 Experience Shanghai Carnival commenced with an opening ceremony at the picturesque Oriental Fisherman's Wharf in Shanghai's Yangpu district on June 28, heralding a season of festivities and novel encounters.

This city-wide extravaganza, led by the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce and Yangpu district, aims to invigorate the service sector and contribute to Shanghai's positioning as a global hub for consumption.

With the theme "Explore the City, Enjoy the Summer", the carnival will run from late June to August, and promises a rich tapestry of events. This includes a grand opening ceremony, brand-themed activities, major discount packages, and an innovation fair.

The 2024 Experience Shanghai Carnival, themed "Explore the City, Enjoy the Summer", features a variety of promotional events across various sectors citywide. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Encompassing various sectors, such as tourism, healthcare, information technology, sports, transportation, and exhibitions, the carnival underscores collaboration within the service industry. It forges unique partnerships among businesses, fosters service-oriented brands, and establishes a landmark event that will boost service consumption in the city.

A pivotal feature of the carnival is the debut of the Shanghai Service Consumption Development Vitality Index. Crafted by Fudan University, this index offers a holistic gauge of the service sector's performance, steering future growth and ensuring top-tier consumer experiences.

With the 2023 index soaring at an impressive 124.05, boasting robust scores across consumption potential, service innovation, and market openness sub-indexes, Shanghai's dedication to service sector excellence shines through.

The carnival also acts as a catalyst for cultivating innovative service-consumption scenarios spanning diverse domains. Leading digital platforms like Douyin and Bilibili have launched engaging initiatives such as the Douyin Coffee National Salon and Bilibili Macro Link, which add to the carnival’s cultural experiences.

Simultaneously, exhibitions like the Experience Shanghai Pet Carnival and collaborative ventures by financial institutions spotlight the burgeoning synergy across sectors and service-related industries. Of note, Yangpu district unveiled its drone delivery service, aimed to lead the way in integrating low-altitude economic service and consumption.

The Renren Fair, hosted from June 28 to 30 at the Oriental Fisherman's Wharf, showcased a spectrum of service-driven experiences that span gastronomy, cultural tourism, education, finance, and more.

Visitors enjoy a fair, which is part of the ongoing 2024 Experience Shanghai Carnival. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Adding a charitable touch to the carnival, the Happiness Express charity market, curated by the Shanghai Federation of Trade Unions, offered eco-friendly consumption choices and enticing cultural and travel products.

In collaboration with various partners, China UnionPay unveiled a carnival package that included attractive discounts and perks for consumers across 1,000 hotels and restaurants. This initiative caters to both locals and tourists alike.

Furthermore, airline companies and travel platforms like China Eastern Airlines, Spring Airlines, and Ctrip rolled out special deals on flights and travel packages, further enhancing Shanghai's allure as a vibrant tourist hotspot.