China's "Golden Week" holiday scheme for the Spring Festival,
the May Day holiday and the National Day holiday will remain
unchanged in 2007, although some people suggest revoking the
scheme.
A circular about holiday arrangements for 2007, issued by the
State Council, has been posted on the website of the National
Tourism Administration.
According to the circular, the government will maintain
week-long or "Golden Week" holidays around the Spring Festival, the
May Day and the National Day in year 2007.
China introduced the "Golden Week" holidays in 1999. But after
several years' experience, some discordant voices have emerged.
Complaints about overcrowding, poor service and a scarcity of
hotel rooms during the "Golden Week" holidays have spurred debate
over the merits of the weeklong holiday concept.
Recently, a member of China's top consultative body called for a
major restructuring of the country's public holidays. Cai Jiming, a
professor at Tsinghua University and a member of the Chinese
People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), proposed
shortening the National Day and May Day holidays from three days to
one day. This would make way for four single-day holidays marking
Tomb-sweeping Day, the Dragon Boat festival, mid-autumn festival
and New Year's Eve.
Cai said the Chinese government's decision to launch the "Golden
Week" holiday scheme had generated a number of problems, including
poor-quality services.
But some tourism officials believe that the "Golden Week"
holidays boost domestic consumption and also promote the idea of
going out and enjoying life.
(Xinhua News Agency December 19, 2006)