Domestic tourism in China is set for a boost during the upcoming May Day holiday with many travelers choosing to spend their travel dollars at home, rather than overseas.

This is despite the prospect of some very cheap overseas tours.

Traditional domestic destinations, like south China's Yunnan and Hainan, west China's Tibet and Xinjiang, are still popular.

But, as prices to these popular destinations usually jump during the holiday period, a number of travel agencies have introduced new, low-cost routes, which are becoming popular.

There've been some significant shifts in the foreign tourism market as well.

A worker from China International Travel Service explains:

"Southeast Asian countries were very popular during the May Day holiday in the past. But now that's changed to Europe and Australia. Places in tours to Europe and Australia have been sold out, though there's still a long time before the holiday."

It's not just the destination that has shifted, the price of group tours to Europe has fallen from last year and it's nearly 1,000 yuan, or more than US$200 cheaper to sign up for a Southeast Asian tour this year.

(CRI.com April 20, 2005)