China has earned 24.98 billion yuan (US$3 billion) of tourism revenue in the week-long National Day holiday, increasing by 8.6 percent from last year, with each traveler spending 391 yuan, according to the latest statistics, homeway.com.cn reported today.

According to the National Tourism Administration, domestic traveling has become more popular in the last two years. The number of travelers soared and popular places expanded, with three golden week-long holiday being formed including the Spring Festival, the Labor Day and the National Day.

The increased income and paid vacations have made travel a life fashion in China, said an analyst. According to the statistics, 744 million people in China went traveling last year, and two-thirds people were predicted to go traveling in the whole year.

The better holiday orders and environment boosted the tourism industry in China, and the holiday tourism market became more stable, said an expert.

(eastday 10/17/2001)