The catering industry thrives during the Spring Festival holiday in Liangjiang New Area. [Photo/WeChat account of Liangjiang New Area]

Sources from the modern service sector in Liangjiang New Area on Jan 29 suggested that over the Spring Festival holiday, 18 catering and accommodation enterprises above a designated size in Liangjiang reported a year-on-year sales increase of 154.7 percent, with the local consumption market recovering rapidly.

"Many customers from places outside Chongqing made reservations with our hotel because of our preferable location, which is near to the airport, the railway station, and shopping malls," said a local hotel manager.

Eating hot pot during the Spring Festival is a time-honored tradition for people in Chongqing. It is a way for them to both celebrate the New Year and to catch up with visiting family members. Hot pot restaurants in Liangjiang quadrupled their average table turnover rate during this period.

Diners flocked to restaurants with friends, colleagues, and family. The workers who continued to render services during the holiday got paid at three times of their usual wages.

Moving forward, Liangjiang New Area will continue its efforts and roll out a series of consumption promotion activities for upcoming festivals, such as the Valentine's Day and the Lantern Festival.