More Shanghainese will travel to Australia while less to Thailand during the coming Spring Festival compared with last year, statistics from Shanghai Tourism Administration Department showed.

Travelers to Australia reached more than 1,000, 3 times more than in 2000. While some 2,400 people will go to Thailand, 24 percent less than the previous year.

Shanghai's tour lines to foreign countries has increased by 5 to reach 19 this year.

About 38 percent more people will go to Hong Kong and Macao compared with last year.

Of the total, more than half will go to Southeast Asia countries. But the number declined by 10 percent from last year.

Travels to Japan also increased a lot compared with before.

Officials said Shanghainese now had more varieties in outside-country trip destinations during the festival and has apparently increased their budget for travels.

(Eastday.com 01/17/2001)