Skift Take
San Francisco has experienced a rocky rebound since the pandemic, but promises of pandas and planes may uplift the city’s tourism.
San Francisco is gearing up to greet more visitors from China, starting with a pair of pandas.
Mayor London Breed returned from China over the weekend, bringing news of how China intends to send pandas to the San Francisco Zoo as early as 2025. Travel and economic leaders also spoke with Chinese airlines about increasing flights to the city.
China’s tradition of panda diplomacy — bringing giant pandas to the country’s partners with the help of a conservation team — symbolizes more than just new zoo residents. The pandas could draw more U.S. visitors while representing appreciation for the city's Chinese heritage.
San Francisco's downtown has been struggling to attract visitors due to some travelers' negative perception of the city's safety. The city isn't expected to go back to pre-pandemic visitor volume until 2026, a