AS the eight-day National Day holiday approaches, outbound tours have become the first choice for Shenzhen residents.
“More than 70 percent of the outbound tour groups had been booked by the end of August,” said a manager of Each Travel in Luohu District, surnamed Zhang.
Zhang said prices for overseas tours had fallen by 10 percent compared with the same period last year, while the number of holidaymakers was expected to increase by 15 percent, especially for routes to Europe and Southeast Asian countries.
“Ten-day itineraries to France, Switzerland and Italy are popular because the prices have dropped from 16,500 yuan (US$2,400) to 12,100 yuan,” said Huang Bilin, manager of Shenzhen Comfort Travel Service Co. Ltd., who is in charge of European and American tours.
So far, more than 100 residents had signed for tours to Europe and the United States at his agency after prices fell by 3,000-4,000 yuan, 10 percent lower than the same period last year, Huang said.
The lower prices are making it easier for local residents to afford overseas travel.
“My wife and I will travel to European countries. The long holiday and lower costs will make our dream come true this time,” said a resident identified as Chen, who is working at Global Resources Co. in Futian District.
Apart from Europe and America, other popular destinations for Shenzhen people are Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia, with the number of people signing for these destinations up by 20 percent compared with the same period last year, according to Shenzhen Port China Travel Service. (Continued on Page 3)
“The beautiful scenes in Japan’s Hokkaido and Tokyo always attract many tourists from Shenzhen every year. Because of free visas and modest costs in Thailand, that country is also appealing,” said Zhang Yuwen, manager of Port China Travel.
Because the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival will coincide with the national holiday this year, many travel agencies have organized special routes for tourists to enjoy the full moon and moon cakes.
“Islands in the Maldives, Indonesia’s Bintan and Bali islands and Phuket Island in Thailand are among package tour destinations. Prices range between 8,000 and 15,000 yuan, about 10 to 30 percent more than usual,” said Wang Yonghong, general manager of Shenzhen CEPT International Travel Service Ltd.
On the domestic scene, Wang said cities in East China such as Hangzhou and Suzhou were hot picks.
Many people wanted tours to Beijing to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the nation and planned to visit the Bird’s Nest and other Olympic facilities. However, destinations in Xinjiang tended to be less popular because of the unstable situation, Wang said.
In addition, Huizhou, Qingyuan and Zhaoqing in Guangdong province were favored for short trips.
This year’s National Day holiday lasts from Oct. 1 to 8.
Cai Yingbo and Zeng Yanjun