According to a survey by Shanghai Daily among major travel agencies, the number of locals inquiring about this month's package tours to Hong Kong increased by 20 percent, while seats on trips departing several days before Christmas have already been booked. For instance, at Shanghai China International Travel Service Co., a three-day package tour to Hong Kong departing each Friday in the next two weeks is a sellout.

"We expect sales of Hong Kong trips to increase by 20 to 30 percent this year," said Bao Youpei of the travel agency.

With the number of local travel agencies permitted to handle package tours to Hong Kong expanding to 32 from 5 since October 1, China International is not the only one seeing a boom.

At Shanghai Dazhong International Travel Service Co., a new competitor for Hong Kong tours, all seats on a seven-day tour to four cities, including Hong Kong and Macau, have been booked until December 16.

"Last year, I spent all my money in Hong Kong to buy my favorite brands sold at half the price in Shanghai. I even bought two suitcases for new clothes and shoes," said Pauline Pu, a magazine editor who planned another Christmas shopping trip this year.

But, shopping is not the only reason for the popularity of Hong Kong. The survey found that many professionals booked tours to compete for business positions at job fairs in the island city.

Fifty seats for the "three-day recruitment trip" - which will depart next weekend for the first "Shanghai & Hongkong Professionals Job Fair" on December 14 - at the China International were sold out in five days, the agency said.

Due to the intense competition, travel agencies are offering multiple Hong Kong trip choices.

For instance, China International has a high-end package tour of up to 4,000 yuan (US$482) with five-star accommodations, while Dazhong has an excellent choice for those who prefer to stay with their relatives or friends - a merely 2,600 yuan for air tickets and the Hong Kong permit.

(eastday.com December 2, 2002)