Take a break from the financial crisis

By Li Wenfang (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-03-18 09:29

You want to know how you can help ease the pressure of the global financial crisis in China? Well, it's easy - take a vacation.

With the economy in the doldrums thanks to the global recession, citizens are being urged to give it a boost by exploring the country during holiday periods.

Tourists pose for a photo on the famous Shantang ancient bridge in the scenic city of Suzhou, Jiangsu province, on Nov 24, 2007, while enjoying the bright sunshine during the winter months.[Wang Jiankang/China Daily]

At least that is what local governments and those in the country's hospitality industry are advocating, with much being made of the debate to return to a seven-day May Day break at the recent sessions of the National People's Congress and the National Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), as well as the discount coupons offered by several scenic cities.

The annual holiday in May was cut short to three days last year, with the other four spread throughout the calendar for other traditional festivals. But authorities in Guangdong last month launched a pilot program to urge residents to use paid holiday time around May Day to extend their vacation back to a full "Golden Week".

It is aimed at spurring domestic demand in the tourism sector to make up for the drastic decline in overseas demand, said Wang Jian, spokesman for the Guangdong branch of China Travel Services.

More details on the implementation of the National Travel and Recreation Program in Guangdong are expected next month, with authorities in other areas also considering similar moves.

But some have questioned how feasible the scheme will be. As the holiday is not mandatory, those working in sectors not funded by the government may find it hard or impossible to take paid time off, especially if it means putting their jobs at risk when opportunities are at a premium.

And there is no guarantee those who do opt to take a longer break will join the crowds that flock to China's popular scenic spots during the holidays.

As explained by holiday reform advocate Cai Jiming, deputy director of the Institute of Economics at Tsinghua University and a member of the CPPCC National Committee who proposed to cancel May Day week in 2007: "People do not choose to travel because of the free days they have in their diaries but because of the amount of money they have in their pockets."

Only businesses catering to tourists benefit during the Golden Week rush, he argued, with many customers having to endure higher prices and low-quality service.

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