Combined with the spring break, this year’s Labor Day holiday is expected to further unleash travel and consumption momentum. Experts called on the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to offer more in-depth, diverse, and distinctive tourism offerings to attract more long-haul visitors.
Amid nationwide efforts to stimulate the economy, many regions on the Chinese mainland piloted spring and fall breaks this year, giving primary and secondary school students two to three days off each season. Some cities combine the spring break with the five-day Labor Day holiday from May 1 to 5, and by taking a few extra days off, students can get a vacation of over 10 days.
Data from travel platforms show that cities implementing the spring break have seen a surge in travel bookings, especially in air travel ahead of the Labor Day holiday. The number of sightseeing tickets booked by young travelers has also risen several times.
A travel peak lasting 17 days is expected from April 24 to May 10, with travel demand slowing during the “Golden Week”, from May 1 to 5, but rising during the two weekends before and after it.
Guan Jian, director of communications at Guangzhou-based GZL International Travel Service, told China Daily that the Greater Bay Area is a significant tourism market with many visitors from out of town. The longer travel period can help create staggered mini peaks, boosting vitality across the cluster’s entire cultural and tourism landscape.
Among their clients, there has been an increase in the number of guests who have taken the full five-day Labor Day holiday and opted for eight- to 10-day itineraries. Those who departed before May 1, when the crowds were lighter and prices were lower, also enjoyed a better travel experience, he said.
He believes such a combined vacation will fuel family trips, educational tours, and cross-regional travel in the Greater Bay Area. With many science and culture/history museums, plus theme parks, seaside resorts, and scenic outdoor attractions, the southern cluster can meet diverse needs for family getaways.
A typical Greater Bay Area itinerary — covering Hong Kong, Macao, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and Foshan — usually takes five or six days. With the opening of the Guangzhou-Zhanjiang high-speed rail line late last year, Guan also recommends that travelers take the chance to experience the different scenery and cuisine in western Guangdong.
ALSO READ: Domestic travel ready to soar over Labor Day
With the Guangdong City Football Super League and the Guangdong City Basketball League — known as “Yuechao” and “YueBA” — currently underway, and the lingering effects of last year’s 15th National Games, sports events plus tourism are creating a sizable new market. Going forward, Guan said the GZL travel agency will continue to focus on this area and extend the amount of time event-following visitors spend overnight locally.
Zhao Shenghui, director of the Enterprise and Market Research Center at the China Development Institute, who has long studied the Greater Bay Area’s tourism industry, said that to retain tourists during the extended holidays, the region should develop more in-depth and distinctive experiences.
She said that technological elements could serve as a key draw for the cluster’s tourism market and called for greater efforts to enhance Shenzhen companies’ willingness to participate in tech-themed study tours.
Zhao also suggested drawing on Singapore’s experience in developing immersive travel experiences, where educational visits can be integrated with exhibitions, cultural activities and sports competitions in a weeklong itinerary for visitors to the small country.
The Greater Bay Area focuses on urban sightseeing and lacks a rich historical heritage, so many people treat it merely as a transit point, taking quick tours and having a short stay there overnight, Zhao said.
She hopes that cities in the region can collaborate to create an iconic tourism brand and launch innovative ways to encourage more visits — such as introducing a “Greater Bay Area Passport”, which could serve as a convenient payment option, have collectible value, and be used to exchange for small gifts after visitors check in at multiple locations.
READ MORE: HK readies for nearly 1m mainland visitors during Labor Day Golden Week
Wang Fuyao, a tourist from Shandong province, is spending a less crowded vacation in the Greater Bay Area with his daughter, who has a three-day spring break — separately, before and after the Labor Day holiday.
They arrived in Shenzhen on Tuesday, with family members departing from different cities. While waiting for his wife and daughter on Tuesday afternoon, Wang made a quick trip to Macao after buying a ferry ticket and obtaining a travel permit in Shenzhen on the spot.
During their Wednesday trip to Hong Kong Disneyland, they only waited for half an hour for the popular Grizzly Gulch mine car rides, which normally require a wait of several hours at peak times. Given the short queues, they were able to enjoy the ride three times.
He said the rest of the trip hasn’t yet been set entirely — they may go to experience traditional Guangdong culture or try some local food. As travel across the Greater Bay Area is so convenient, he believes it’s no problem to plan things on the spur of the moment.
“My daughter saw a lot of foreigners in Hong Kong in a video once, so I brought her here this time. We don’t necessarily need to do expensive tourist activities; we just want to experience the local culture and way of life.
During children’s school breaks, they don’t usually care much about where they go. They’re happy enough if they can spend time with family members and relieve some academic stress, Wang said.
He added that this is the first year the spring break policy has been rolled out. Since the policy was introduced fairly quickly, he said it is important for everyone to show patience and understanding, adding that he believes the relevant arrangements will continue to be improved over time.
Contact the writer at bingcun@chinadailyhk.com