China’s diving star Quan Hongchan has not only brought home Olympic gold but also transformed her hometown of Maihe village in Zhanjiang, Guangdong province, into a burgeoning tourist destination. Capitalizing on her newfound fame, local travel agencies have launched one-day tours to Quan’s hometown, attracting significant attention from across the country.
One local agency offers a one-day tour for just 58 yuan (approximately $8 USD), targeting visitors aged between 25 and 70. Those outside this age range can still participate for an additional fee of 70 yuan. As a bonus, participants receive a five-liter electric hot pot cooker. The agency representative clarified that the tour is designed as a shopping trip, where lower fees are offset by mandated shopping stops that generate commissions for the agency.
Since Quan’s Olympic triumphs, particularly her two gold medals at the Paris Olympics, her once-quiet hometown has been dubbed “Olympic Village” and “Champion Village” in travel advertisements. Another travel agency in Maoming, also in Guangdong province, offers a variety of tours to her village, ranging from affordable shopping-focused trips to higher-priced leisure-oriented packages.
As tourists flock to Maihe village, the local economy is seeing significant benefits. The village, once poor and rural, recently opened its first restaurant, serving traditional dishes like roast suckling pig and white-cut chicken. Quan’s neighbor, Quan Huacai, has also found renewed success with his beef offal business, which had previously struggled. “I’m not losing money now, it’s just more tiring,” he shared, reflecting on the surge in demand.
Quan Hongchan, now 17, became a national sensation after winning three Olympic gold medals, including her stunning performance at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she earned three perfect scores in the 10-meter platform event. Her success has turned her into one of China’s most beloved sports figures, with her story frequently trending online.
The tours to her hometown have sparked lively discussions, with many expressing their admiration for the young athlete and the economic boost she has brought to her village. “Only 58 yuan for a whole day – what a bargain!” one person commented online. Others praised her impact on the local economy, noting how she’s creating new opportunities for villagers.
However, some concerns have been raised about the commercialization of Quan’s success. “Is it OK to over-commercialize a young girl like this? She should have more time to do what she loves and spend time with her family,” one observer cautioned, highlighting the potential downsides of the sudden tourism boom.
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