China's tourism revenue up 27% during Spring Festival

China’s tourism revenue during the Chinese lunar new year holiday increased 27% compared to the same period last year, state media reported, citing a statement by the National Tourism Administration. Tourism revenue reached US$12.44 billion during the week-long festival. Approximately US$789 million came from airline ticket sales, while railways contributed US$471 million. Tourist numbers during the holiday exceeded 153 million, up 22.7% from the same period last year. In addition, evidence suggests that more Chinese tourists elected to spend the holiday overseas. A report by the National Holiday Tourism Office said that 67,500 people left Beijing for the holidays, up 60% year-on-year, and tourism operators said many of their overseas holiday packages sold out before the festival began. The most popular destination for mainland vacationers during the festival remains Hong Kong, followed by Phuket in Thailand, Singapore, Bangkok and Bali, Indonesia.