Ctrip says joys of summer travel getting much cheaper

This summer, traveling abroad will be much more cost-efficient for travelers, with tickets pitched at keener prices than last summer - due to easier visa policies, increased flights, and price competition between numerous travel agencies - according to a report by Ctrip.com International Ltd, China's leading online travel agency.

Ctrip said that in previous years, traveling during summer holidays often cost 30 to 40 percent more than the off-peak season. This year, the report said, the seasonal rise was about 10 to 20 percent, with an increasing capacity of flights and expanded tourist handling facilities at destinations.

During the summer holiday this year, a record 30 million Chinese mainland tourists are projected to travel overseas. It is estimated that their average spending while traveling will reach 7,000 yuan ($1,030), up 6.8 percent year-on-year.