China's 17th golden week, the Spring Festival holiday of 2006, has fulfilled its goal to maintain stability and safety. According to information from the National Holiday Office, tourism is operating stablely and safely across the country. Majority of short-route tourists have returned home and some long-route tourists are on their way home.

Both the tourism revenue and the number of tourists and visits increased about ten percent as compared with last Spring Festival, said officials with the National Holiday Office.

The overall safety and order were good during the holiday. The National Holiday Office has received two incident reports only, the least of all the golden weeks. Tourists' complaints decreased by 21 percent to 135.

The tourism market grows more mature. Traditional tourism attractions remain hot while new scenery spots are becoming more attractive. Regional tourism attractions keep on rising.

China's total retail sales of consumer goods increased by 15.5 percent to reach 190 billion yuan during the Spring Festival holiday. Retail sales in catering increased by 25 percent, according to Ministry of Commerce.

The market during the festival takes on the following characteristics this year:

Department stores launched various promotional activities to cater for shoppers' preferences for the Spring Festival. Discounts and lotteries are offered.

Branded goods and organic foods become first choice of consumers; gold jewelries, home electronics and mobile phones are bestsellers.

The catering market remains hot. Dining outside has become a fashion. The retailing sales in catering industry reports a year-on-year increase of 25 percent. Restaurants offering the dinner on the eve of the Lunar New Year were mostly fully booked.

Spending on entertainment and recreation is more popular.

Price remains stable in general and daily necessities are in sufficient supply.

By People's Daily Online