Catering in China saw significant growth in the May Day holiday on May 1-5, as food tours flourished in various regions of the country, according to the Ministry of Commerce on Monday.

In the five-day holiday, sales by major retail and catering enterprises nationwide increased by 6.8 percent compared with the same period of last year, and customers in key shopping districts in 36 of the 70 large and medium-sized cities nationwide increased by 15.1 percent, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce.
To attract tourists during the holiday, many cities vied with one another to promote local delicacies.
In the northeastern city of Qiqihar, a most favored food was barbecue. Families would drive to campgrounds to enjoy the sizzle of the grill.
"The barbecue is very good and the place is very nice," said a tourist.
In the eastern city of Xiamen, many tourists wandered the alleys and explored the street food and snacks around the neighborhood, getting out with their hands and stomach full.
"It is lively here. I've bought yam paste cake, which is famous here, and other snacks. I like the living atmosphere here," said Ms. Jiang, a tourist.
Meanwhile, local vendors all experienced busy days.
Hong Zimin, a vendor of hand-shredded chicken, said queues would extend from five p.m. to eight p.m.
"There are so many people here that dozens of us can hardly serve them," Hong said.
Similar situations occurred at a night market in Yinchuan, northwest China, where people were flocking to stalls selling local snacks.
"People from many regions have come here, and it gets crowded after seven p.m., and then it gets hectic," said Liu Bao, a vendor selling heated milk.
Tourists cared not only about the taste of food, but also about the vibe and style of dining. Food and beverage merchants managed to incorporate traditional or fashionable cultural elements into the products and dining environment, inviting tourists to stay, unwind and taste during the holiday.