Tan Qi (middle) and team members ready Quzhou Sports Center for a music festival. [Photo/Tide News]

In the eyes of many entertainment companies, Quzhou, a city nestled in western Zhejiang, was deemed a lackluster destination, unsuitable for hosting concerts.

"Quzhou? Where is that?" Tan Qi, the manager of Quzhou Sports Center, often found himself grappling with this question.

However, a remarkable transformation has taken place.

Shortly after wrapping up the second-quarter work agenda of 2024, Tan and his team began a journey to cities like Hangzhou, negotiating several high-profile events.

In 2023, Quzhou Sports Center played host to a total of 16 major sporting and cultural events. A recent report highlights Quzhou's rise in national concert ticket sales for the year.

At the start of 2023, Quzhou leveraged its newly constructed sports center to attract major events and large-scale activities, aiming to stimulate consumer spending, boost citywide enthusiasm, and invigorate the local economy.

In 2023, Quzhou experienced a 34.4 percent increase in overall tourist arrivals, with overnight stays surging by 36.7 percent.

Capitalizing on the success of its concerts, Quzhou enticed visitors to savor its local delicacies, such as the renowned Quzhou Duck Head, to build its reputation as a culinary hotspot.