The fifth Shandong Culture and Tourism Consumption Season will kick off on April 10 across the province to boost the recovery of the culture and tourism sectors, which were hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism held a news conference on April 7 to provide details about the annual event.

Officials from the department said that the event, lasting until October, will distribute many consumption coupons to benefit more customers, as well as promote cultural and tourism consumption.

Tourists enjoy picking cherries at a planting base in a village of Zaozhuang, Shandong province. [Photo/IC]

The coupons can be used to buy a wide range of products and services, including art and cultural performances, scenic spot tickets, cultural and creative products, and special tourist routes via both online and offline channels.

The move will help cultivate new types of consumption, promote the growth of both online and offline consumption, and foster a complete system for domestic demand, said Shandong officials.

An extravaganza of cultural, tourism and art activities will be held during the event, said the Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism.

Tourists tour the Taierzhuang ancient town, a popular scenic spot in Shandong province, on a cruise boat on a spring day. [Photo/IC]

Contact-free sectors like online shopping, online education, and online performances and exhibitions will be featured during the event, with various tourism and cultural products to be launched online.

Various tourism promotion activities will take place as well, including study tours, rural sightseeing, Yellow River and Grand Canal tours, red tourism, spring outings, and flower admiring.

The province's 16 cities will also host a series of festivals and celebrations to attract more tourists, including the Qingdao International Beer Festival, the Weifang International Kite Festival, the Heze International Peony Cultural Tourism Festival, the China International Mount Tai Climbing Festival, and the China (Qufu) International Confucius Cultural Festival.

The province's rich and diverse traditional culture will be highlighted during the event, with traditional craft exhibitions, performances of drama and folk art, and other activities to be staged. A shopping festival for local intangible cultural heritage items will be launched as well.

Primary school students in Weihai take part in Party-themed education activities in Weihai, Shandong province. [Photo/IC]

A series of events will be held to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China during the event. Major exhibitions, theatrical performances, a series of literature, artwork, and publications, and Party-themed publicity and educational activities will be available.

Activities to bolster the nighttime economy and consumption will also be held.

Jinan, capital of Shandong province, boasts a vibrant nighttime economy. [Photo/IC]