As the traditional Chinese Spring Festival approaches, the travel market is showing definite signs of heating up.

Many travel agencies have introduced new packages to entice visitors. New images and price quotations for vacation packages are being posted in many travel agencies around Beijing.

"We receive numerous calls asking for information every day. There is a great demand for inbound and outbound travel. Many tourists have registered at our agency and some travel routes have been completely booked out," said one travel consultant.

China has so far opened over 60 outbound travel destinations around the globe to travelers who want to use the long Spring Festival holiday to go out.

The cost for a trip to Japan, Australia or Europe during the peak holiday period is somewhat higher, with the increase averaging about 1,000 yuan (US$120). Increased jet fuel costs and fluctuating exchange rates have also pulled prices up.

Jia Yiyuan, marketing manager for China Comfort Travel Service, says routes to Australia and New Zealand are exceptionally popular, although the cost of some long routes is quite high.

Domestic travel remains strong, with many travelers apparently intent on visiting the north or south fringes of the country.

People who want to appreciate the frosty beauty of winter are zipping up their parkas and heading off to the northeastern provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning or the Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang autonomous regions further west.

But Hainan's gorgeous beaches and southwestern Yunnan's eternal spring remain perennial favorites for winter vacations.

Major tourism venues nationwide, including entertainment facilities, ski lifts and cable cars, are undergoing safety inspections in the run of the holiday.

Yang Huaisheng, the general manager of Mutianyu Great Wall Cablecar Company, said, "Our cable car has been operating for 17 years; it is time for us to conduct a thorough inspection and make repairs where necessary. We can offer a much safer and more comfortable cable car to tourists during the festival."

Many urban travelers are opting to buy accident insurance. This is a dramatic departure from previous years when fewer than 50 percent of travelers bought insurance.

Accident insurance inside the country costs 20 yuan (US$2.40) for three days and 25 yuan (US$3.00) for each additional day. Maximum compensation is 100,000 yuan (US$12,048.20).

(CRI.com January 11, 2005)