Mainlanders opt to go abroad for CNY: Tourism industry expects rise in New Year traveling

MANY people go to visit their family for Chinese New Year. The ChinaTourism Academy estimates that around 225 million mainlanders are planning trips during this holiday. It also notes that for the first timepeople wanting to go overseas outnumber those inclined to check out domestic places.

Revenue from the tourism industry is expected to hit 130 billion yuan (HK$166.71 billion) during the 31 January to 6 February period. Last year, 203 million travellers spent 117 billion yuan during the sameperiod. Some 39.3 percent of mainlanders polled by the academy wish to travel abroad. In comparison, around 32 percent want to go on domestic trips. 
“For the first time since the survey was conducted in 2009, there are more people wishing to travel abroad than to domestic places,” the academy said. Topping the overseas destination wish list are South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the United States, France, New Zealand and Canada.

Spending for the Lunar New Year's Eve dinner on 30 January is expected to decline in the mainland as more people choose to eat at home.

1. outnumber (v) 數量上超過 2. inclined (adj) 傾向於 3. domestic (adj) 國內的 4. poll (v) 進行民意調查 5. destination (n) 目的地 6. decline (v) 下降

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