Extended May Day holiday to see 'tourism craze': Ctrip

BEIJING - China's extended May Day holiday this year will see another "tourism craze" with an estimated total of 160 million trips, the country's biggest online travel agency Ctrip said Thursday.

The figure is about 50 percent higher than that of the Tomb-sweeping holiday which was from April 5 to 7, according to Ctrip's prediction.

About 147 million trips were made during the three-day May Day holiday last year, up 9.3 percent year on year.

Ctrip had made an earlier forecast of 150 million trips after authorities' decision to extend the vacation boosted online searches and orders for trips.

The State Council, China's cabinet, announced last month that this year's May Day holiday would be extended to four days, from May 1 to 4.

Ctrip data showed some 49 percent of users opted for journeys lasting four to six days thanks to the extension, and its services will take tourists to 90 countries and regions.