Shanghai's tourism industry has generally welcomed the national
holiday changes - but not everyone is happy.
For example, couples who have already booked their weddings to
coincide with the next May Day holiday are worried that their
ceremonies may be disrupted because they will now fall on a working
day.
Shanghai Airline Holiday said that in the past two years there
had not been a great deal of difference between the peak and slack
tourist seasons. It believes the modification will make it easier
for people to adjust their holiday plans.
"Numbers of three-day or four-day holidays will increase, and
it's good news for the short-term tourism market," said Hu Xin,
public relations supervisor of Shanghai Airline Holiday.
"Agencies will have better services as they won't have to cope
with so many tourists at once."
It is also preparing to promote products with a traditional
Chinese element to celebrate the holidays.
Hu hopes that the country's policy on paid vacation will issued
as soon as possible lest tourists crowd scenic spots during the
Spring Festival and National Day Golden Weeks.
The Shanghai China International Travel Service Co Ltd, whose
service is mainly for outbound traveling, said hotels, flights and
restaurants will have a "cushion" for Chinese tourists.
"Some tourists may choose to travel during the remaining two
Golden Weeks, but our survey shows that many others are willing to
avoid peak times," said Yu Weihua, general manager of the
company.
A woman surnamed An, who has booked her wedding banquet for May
6, is now considering a change of date.
"On work days my family and friends leave work rather late, and
the traffic in the evening is awful," she said. "We are worried
that the wedding will not start on time."
But as the city is in its wedding peak period it is difficult
for couples to change their booked dates.
Many hotels and restaurants are booked out for wedding banquets
and parties on the weekends around the May Day holiday, industry
sources said.
(Shanghai Daily November 11, 2007)