China's top tourism watchdog said local governments may restore the May Day "golden week" if they think this will help counter the effects of the global economic downturn.

But local authorities still need to apply to the State Council, or China's Cabinet, for the holiday to be restored.

The statement by Liu Xiaojun, spokesman of the National Tourism Administration, came after a former deputy director of the bureau proposed that the country restore the "golden week" in May on a trial basis to revive domestic consumption, the National Business Daily said yesterday.

Zhang Xiqin, who is also one of the country's top political advisers, suggested at the annual CPPCC meeting on Wednesday that the "golden week" in May could be a great stimulus to tourism and upstream industries. A three-day break is scheduled for May this year.

(Shanghai Daily March 6, 2009)