Travel agencies' phones ringing off the hook ahead of long holiday

SHANGHAI - The city's travel agencies have started receiving an increasing number of bookings for long-distance tours for the unprecedented 16-day holiday that kicks off Sept 22.

With two major holidays in September and October falling close to each other - a three-day Mid-Autumn Festival from Sept 22 and a seven-day National Day break from Oct 1 - many residents are mulling taking six days' leave from their companies from Sept 25 to 30 to enjoy the longest national holiday in history.

According to a recent survey by Sina.com, 42 percent of the 2,000 respondents said they are planning to apply for additional leave during the period either to enjoy a nice, long rest or a faraway vacation.