Canton Fair: Guangzhou’s Commerce & Tourism Rise | 2024 Updates

138th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair), which ran from October 15 to November 4, 2025, continues to make itself a prominent tourism and trade event. Not only is the fair a cornerstone of international commerce, with its upgraded services and enhanced accessibility, but it is also a significant promoter of tourism in Guangzhou, China. Through the introduction of innovative solutions to optimize the visitor experience, the Canton Fair is enhancing tourism traffic and establishing Guangzhou as a tourism hub in Southeast Asia.

Convenient Travel and Accessibility: A New Era of Seamless Visitor Experience

One of the standout features of this year’s Canton Fair is its focus on making travel more accessible for international visitors. With Guangzhou Metro enabling direct gate entry for international attendees via international bank cards and a new Canton Fair-themed day passthe fair has significantly simplified arrival procedures. These innovations ensure that global tourists can easily access the fairgrounds, saving time and avoiding long lines. The Canton Fair Appwhich includes a built-in ticketing featurefurther enhances the convenience for tourists attending the fair.

Additionally, new intercity railways and metro lines connecting the Canton Fair grounds to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in just 30 minutes allow international visitors to quickly and efficiently reach the fair. This improved transportation infrastructure makes Guangzhou more accessible for international touristsencouraging more travelers to combine a business trip with tourism experiences in the region.

Cultural and Culinary Experience: Merging Tourism and Business

The Canton Fair has long been known for its strong focus on not just business networkingbut also the cultural experiences it offers to visitors. This year, the fair is introducing the “Canton Fair Music & Cuisine Festival”which combines local Cantonese food with musical entertainment. Tourists visiting the fair will be able to experience both the rich flavors of Cantonese cuisine and the dynamic energy of local performances, all while networking and engaging in business exchanges. The food offerings at the fair have expanded, serving over 110,000 meals dailywith a variety of 300 dishesreflecting both local tastes and international cuisines.

This fusion of culinary delights and business activities strengthens the fair’s role as a tourism event by offering visitors a well-rounded experience that goes beyond the typical trade show. Tourists attending the fair not only gain access to global commerce but also enjoy a taste of local culture and entertainment.

Streamlined Services for International Tourists: Enhancing Visitor Satisfaction

The Canton Fair is also focused on improving visitor services to cater to the needs of international tourists. Over 400 self-service kiosks have been set up at airports, train stationsand hotels throughout Guangzhou, allowing visitors to collect their badges as soon as they arrive in the city. This seamless process eliminates the need for long queues at the fairgrounds, ensuring that tourists can move effortlessly from travel to trade.

Additionally, the fair has introduced translation services across the venue, with four translation service points equipped with 400 translation devices and over 100 professional interpreters. This ensures that language barriers are minimized, allowing international tourists and business professionals from non-Chinese-speaking countries to communicate smoothly, enhancing the global appeal of the fair.

Tax Refund Services: Making Shopping Easier for International Tourists

One of the most attractive features for international tourists visiting the Canton Fair is the tax refund service. With a new on-site tax refund zonevisitors can claim rebates directly at the fairgrounds, making shopping more convenient and providing an added incentive to spend. 250 of nearly 1,000 refund-eligible stores across Guangzhou support instant refundsallowing tourists to maximize their shopping experience while also ensuring that they benefit from tax incentives as they explore the city.

This streamlined refund system not only enhances the shopping experience for international tourists but also boosts retail tourism in Guangzhouattracting visitors who are interested in exploring the city’s shopping districts and taking advantage of exclusive offers available only at the Canton Fair.

A Stronger Tourism Economy: Boosting Guangzhou’s Global Appeal

As Guangzhou becomes an increasingly important destination for global tourismthe Canton Fair plays a key role in tourism development and the economic growth of the region. With its advanced logistics, modern infrastructureand focus on enhancing the visitor experiencethe fair is attracting more international travelers who are interested in combining business with tourism.

The fair’s expansion and improved accessibility are expected to result in increased tourism revenuebenefiting local businesses, tour operatorsand hospitality providers in Guangzhou. In addition to the commercial benefits, the fair also serves as an incentive for tourists to explore Guangzhou’s cultural attractionssuch as Canton Tower, Chimelong Safari Parkand historic templesfurther promoting the city as a tourism hub in the Greater Bay Area.

Looking Ahead: Canton Fair’s Continued Impact on Tourism and Trade

In addition to being one of the world’s biggest trade events, the Canton Fair is also one of the greatest motivators of Guangzhou and China tourism. With advances in transportation, services, and cultural products, the fair has become a highly anticipated event for tourists and business individuals every year. As China further opens its economy and welcomes international business, the Canton Fair will continue to be a pillar of international trade and tourism, providing an unparalleled experience for everyone who visits.