Outbound tourism in China, once privilege enjoyed by few, is now more accessible to the average travelers, due to cheaper packages and a stronger Yuan.

The global financial crisis is affecting some industries in China, but outbound travel, to some extent, seems to actually be benefiting from it.

Liao Wei, a travel agent in Chongqing in southwest China, explains that "Since the financial crisis is badly affecting the US, Europe and even Japan and South Korea, the prices for trips to those countries are now lower. What's more, due to the appreciation of the Yuan, shopping in these countries is now much cheaper."

A tourist in Chongqing just returned from a trip to the United States and is already planning a new trip. She said "I'm planning to go to Tahiti, but they are just offering a six-day trip. I'm looking for a longer package."

Recent statistics from the National Tourism Administration show that the number of Chinese outbound travelers reached 34.4 million in the first nine months of this year, up 14.8 percent year-on-year.

In September alone, about 3.7 million Chinese people traveled overseas, an increase of 9 percent year-on-year.

(CRI November 24, 2008)