Tourism income for the Labor Day golden week reached US$18.6 billion this year in Shanghai, Jiefang Daily reported today.

Visitors to the city surged to a record high of 3.32 million during May 1-7 for the Labor Day vacation, 3.75 percent up from the same period last year, according to statistics released yesterday by the Commission of Tourism.

Among the 3.32 million tourists, 60 percent were domestic visitors. The number of domestic and foreign guests to Shanghai were both up from last year's figures, 10 percent and 11.8 percent respectively.

Statistics also indicate an increase in the takings of foreign currency during the golden week, as overseas travelers flooded in.

(Eastday.com.cn 05/08/2001)