Overview
- He opened the visit in Shanghai by signing a five-year pact between the San Francisco and Shanghai conservatories of music to support exchanges and performances.
- The itinerary covers Shanghai and Seoul with a stated focus on arts and culture to deepen sister-city ties and draw tourists.
- City estimates point to roughly 300,000 visitors from China and 147,000 from South Korea this year, which tourism leaders say could top $840 million in local spending.
- Lurie is paying his own travel costs, while the SFO Tourism Fund will cover travel for city staff on the mission.
- The push builds on SF Music Week, new entertainment zones, more than $24 million in arts grants, and concert weekends that drew 450,000 people and generated about $150 million.