The May Day Golden Week is coming back in Guangdong, the first province to revive the extended holiday on a trial basis - a move to stimulate the economy.

The local tourism bureau says Guangdong residents and those with temporary resident permits are encouraged to take long leave during the golden week.

An industry expert says the program could stimulate Guangdong's tourism by 500 billion yuan this year. The export-oriented manufacturing center has been hard-hit by the financial pinch and the provincial government hopes the holiday spending could help revive consumer market confidence.

The tourism bureau says about 60 million yuan of government funding will be earmarked to improve tourist facilities in the province's rural areas.

(CCTV March 26, 2009)