Price-sensitive travelers might be happy to know that they can enjoy low-cost tours, while not being bothered by crowds of people at popular scenic spots, over the coming fortnight, the off-peak period for traveling, eastday.com reported.

With all local elementary and middle school students starting their new terms tomorrow, the two-month peak summer travel period has ended.

Local travel agencies have cut their prices on long-distance domestic tours by around 10-20 percent, with smaller price reductions on short-distance tours.

A five-day tour to Hainan Province was priced at 1,200 yuan (US$148) during the summer vacation, but is only 860 yuan now, said Zhu Feng, a manager at Shanghai Great World International Travel Service.

Thanks to low airfares, long-distance domestic tours will be at their cheapest in early September, with a tour to Yunnan priced at 10 percent lower than August, said Chen Qiming, a manager at Shanghai Travel Agency. Shanghai Spring International Travel Service, which owns its own air-carrier, has cut prices on long-distance domestic tours by 20 percent as of August 20. A six-day tour to Jiuzhaigou cost 2,690 yuan during the summer holiday and is only 1,800 yuan now.

Short-distance tours to neighboring Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces will see small price cuts next month.

However, in a bid to curb ferocious competition, overseas tours have seen price increases and upgraded itineries. Next month, a tour to Thailand is priced at 500-700 yuan more than for this month.

Budget package tours to Australia will not be available in September, and the price will be around 13,000 yuan. European tours will also see price increases and upgraded services, with no pressure to go shopping, said an industry analyst.

(Shanghai Daily September 1, 2005)