Golden Week holidays could be scrapped
9 May 2007
The national "golden week" holidays could be scrapped following more complaints about overcrowding and poor services during last week's Labor Day vacation, the South China Morning Post reported. The week-long holidays were introduced in October 1999 to boost consumer spending, although it is debatable whether they have any impact on full-year spending. China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) Deputy Director Zhang Xiqin said Tuesday that the government was considering alternatives to address the "worrying shortcomings" of the "golden week" system. According to CNTA figures, 179 million people made domestic trips over the Labor Day break, up 22.7% on last year. Tourism revenue posted a 25.8% increase to US$9.56 billion. However, 352 complaints were lodged - 38% more than in 2006 - against travel agents, hotels, tourist attractions and other bodies about traffic jams, overcrowding, commercial fraud and safety issues.