Shandong's tourism market has fully recovered over the five-day May Day holiday, according to local officials.

According to a holiday travel report released by Chinese online travel agency Ctrip and Xinhua Finance, the total volume of tourist orders in Shandong province during the May Day holiday increased by 280 percent year-on-year and was up 27 percent compared to the pre-COVID-19 pandemic level in 2019.

The rising demand for travel fueled domestic consumption during the holiday. Official data showed that from May 1 to 4, the revenue of catering enterprises in Shandong increased by 24.8 percent compared with the figure in 2019, while retail sales of goods increased by 2.5 percent compared with the same period in 2019, with average daily sales reaching 1 billion yuan ($155.5 million).

According to the Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, red tourism continues to be popular in the province, while the demand for rural tourism continues to increase. Short-distance tours, as well as traveling in suburbs are also gaining popularity.

"Rich and diverse tourism products have been launched to satisfy the needs of different groups of tourists over the holiday," said a local official.

As this year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, CPC-themed promotional and education activities, as well as "red tourism," or revolutionary-themed tourism, was a highlight in Shandong over the May Day holiday.

The coastal city of Yantai in Shandong province launched more than 20 red tourism routes, as well as rolled out a series of performances, exhibitions, and lectures on the historical significance of communism in China, which proved popular among tourists and local residents.

Linyi in Shandong province, one of the country's old revolutionary bases, welcomed large numbers of people during the May Day holiday who were attracted to learn about its revolutionary history, as well as visit its historical sites.

People enjoy the Midi Music Festival in Jinan, capital of Shandong province, on May 2. [Photo/IC]

People enjoy exhibitions at the Shandong Culture Center over the May Day holiday. [Photo/IC]

Visitors enjoy folk performances at a scenic spot in Zaozhuang, Shandong province on May 2. [Photo/IC]

Visitors take photos amid the blooming peonies at a rural plantation in Zaozhuang, Shandong province on May 2. [Photo/IC]

People play along the beach in Qingdao, Shandong province on May 1. [Photo/IC]

Crowds of visitors are seen at a commercial street in Jinan on May 1. [Photo/IC]

People enjoy the May Day holiday at Qingzhou ancient city in Shandong province on May 4. [Photo/IC]