Country Gets Ready for Holiday

China is doing all it can to make sure people have up-to-date information and improved services during next month's holiday period.

The nation will strengthen co-ordination between government departments for the tourism ''silly season'' between October 1 and 7. Sun Gang, vice-chairman of China National Tourism Administration, said an office co-ordinating 14 related ministries, including the Ministry of Railways and the Ministry of Communications, has been set up to respond to emergencies in traffic, tourist safety and other unexpected happenings. The office will co-ordinate personnel from the ministries and affiliated administrations at lower levels.

Meanwhile, a centre for statistics and forecasts about tourism during the holiday will gather the latest information on the number of tourists and accommodation in the country's 21 leading destinations, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Guilin and Kunming, and 10 major scenic spots including Huangshan Mountain, Wutai Mountain and Emei Mountain.

During the seven-day holiday, CCTV, China National Radio, Xinhua News Agency and other media will release information provided by the centre, according to Sun.

"It is expected that the number of tourists during the October holiday will not be less than the number during the May 1 holiday," Sun said.

October 1 is the National Day of the People's Republic of China. Chinese people used to have just two days per year for the National Day holiday.

But last year the country extended to three days each for Spring Festival, May 1 Labour Day and October 1 National Day.

The three holidays led to many taking trips, putting a heavy burden on the traffic system but bringing in lots of cash.

In the May 1 holiday this year, more than 900 trains were added to the system, connecting major cities and popular tourist destinations. Trains carried 23.657 million people, a 24.2 per cent increase from the same period of last year.

Domestic airlines also had a boost in the May 1 holiday.

There were 1.706 million airline passengers, 34.8 per cent more than during the Spring Festival in February. The civil aviation administrative department added 1,802 flights to satisfy demand over the May 1 holiday.

(www.chinadaily.com.cn)



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