China to see tourism boom during upcoming holidays

BEIJING -- China is likely to see a tourism boom during this year's upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays, according to a report released by the China Tourism Academy on Tuesday.

Tourism incomes are expected to surge 24 percent from a year earlier to hit 180 billion yuan ($28.4 billion) during the two festivals that fall together this year, extending the holiday to eight days, the report said.

The number of travellers is forecast to increase 20 percent year-on-year to 362 million during the holiday, said the report.

The report forecast a surge in self-driving tours boosted by a recent government policy to remove road tolls during major festivals, and more overseas travel due to a longer holiday this year.

The report said 87.9 percent, up from 58.3 percent last year, of surveyed residents said they are willing to go on a trip during the holiday that starts Sept 30.

Aiming to ease traffic woes, the State Council in August approved a plan to lift road tolls for passenger cars taking highways during the country's four major holidays.