Chinese Government Considering Canceling Golden
Week Holidays
The Chinese government is considering canceling the two
golden week holidays in May and October because they have
been successful in encouraging Chinese to take paid leave
for the holidays. Now that the Chinese economy is growing
at a fast clip, this challenge no longer exists.
The two holidays were introduced in 1999 to encourage
Chinese to take time off and spend more of their discretionary
income. The two holidays are timed to coincide with Labor
Day in May and the Chinese national day, marking the founding
of the Peoples' Republic, on October 1.
While the holidays are seven days long, in fact they
are only three paid days because Chinese have to work
on the weekends before and after the holidays.
Travel agencies, and places such as Hong Kong, have benefited
because of the Golden
Week holidays except during the SARS crisis in 2003.
Travel picked up again in October
2003 after the SARS crisis ended. During every Golden
Week holiday, strains are placed on China's domestic and
international transportation system.
The other major holiday in China is the Chinese new year
holiday, which occurs in late January or early February.
An unfortunate side effect is the high number of traffic
deaths which occur because of increased auto
ownership. In terms of year on year percentage growth,
the Chinese auto market is now the fastest growing in
the world.
Travel is especially popular with young Chinese. Europe
has become a popular destination as the EU has lifted
visa requirements on Chinese citizens.
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