For tour firms, joy springs from Feb frenzy

Zhang Qiong, 29, a resident of Beijing, will spend the seven-day Spring Festival holiday, which begins on February 8, with her parents on the Bali island in Indonesia. She confirmed her tour itinerary, including flights and hotel accommodation, this month. Only, Bali wasn't her preferred destination.

Zhang is among the many Chinese tourists who plan their holiday tours months in advance these days. But, even that is proving to be inadequate.

The travel agency's salesman told Zhang she could depart only on the third day of the holiday, not earlier. Tours starting on the first two days of the holiday were sold out much before she reached the agency. So, now that she bought a five-day Bali package tour, she will have to apply for one or two days of leave.