Local residents have been getting ready to travel during the long holidays, not only the seven-day National Day vacation but also for the five days beginning October 17 during the meetings of the Asia Pacific Economy Co-operation.

``The prospect of two vacations has left Shanghai people quite mad about getting out of the city,'' said Zhou Mingde, an official of the Shanghai China International Travel Service Group.

Travelling abroad has become popular this year. Statistics from the agency show that by September 15 all the foreign routes provided by the agency had been booked.

In addition to the usual trips to Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, the seven-day trip to Australia for 9,990 yuan (US$1,207) was a hot seller.

Compared with the travel fever that seized them in the past two years, which also saw long holidays for the National Day, Shanghai residents are now more rational about travelling, Zhou said.

``They were careful in choosing their trips, turning their eyes to new scenic spots rather than opting for the usual hot spots,'' he said.

Xi'an and Yan'an in Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Southwest China's Tibet and the ancient Silk Road have become popular this year. But most people prefer to take one- or two-day trips to the suburbs and nearby provinces.

To secure seats, travel agencies have been making block bookings on trains and planes, which can also save money for tourists.

Yao Mingbao, director of the Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administrative Commission, said the number of travellers from Shanghai is expected to increase this year.

During the seven-day Labour Day (May 1) holidays, Shanghai Tourism Distribution Centre handled 230,000 travellers, 35 percent more than during the National Day holidays last year.

(China Daily 09/27/2001)