CHINA plans to set up a national paid vacation system by 2020 as part of a recently announced strategic framework aimed at nurturing the country’s tourism sector.
This was stated in the National Outline for Tourism and Leisure Development (2013-2020) released last month by the General Office of the State Council.
Although a recent report on China by Cornell University’s Center for Hospitality Research found that most Chinese nationals receive between five and 15 days of paid leave a year, other sources suggest that paid leave exists only nominally and labour regulations are not enforced.
When in effect, a nationwide paid leave system could ease traffic congestion common during Golden Week holidays.
Fan Keyao, managing director, CITS Group Shanghai, welcomed the announcement. He said that unlike Chinese residents employed in foreign companies, employees working for state-owned companies do not have paid vacations.
If the government were to set up a national paid vacation system, it would be a positive step for tourism in China, he added.
Ding Jianmin, assistant general manager, Shanghai China International Travel Service, was less positive about the likely impact of the proposed system. “Long trips tend to take up 10-14 days, with some even more than 20 days. Which is why Chinese travellers always take outbound trips during long public holiday periods,” he explained.
Meanwhile, the Chinese government also announced plans to increase funding to expand tourism infrastructure, improve service standards and increase supply of tourism products, reported China Daily.
In 2012, China recorded almost three million domestic arrivals and 83 million outbound tourists.
By Hong Xu
