With the Lunar New Year less than a month away, many Chinese are making travel plans for the upcoming seven-day holiday. This year, more are expected to head overseas, as opposed to staying at home for traditional family reunions.

Only a year ago, there were fewer than 30 approved travel destination countries and regions for Chinese.

Now, the number has been more than doubled, reaching 63.

But this Spring Festival, Southeast Asian countries are no longer favorites because of the tsunami disaster.

More luxury destinations such as Japan, Australia and Europe are getting popular.

And this year, increasing numbers of travelers are now buying casualty accident insurance.

In many big cities like Beijing and Guangzhou, figures show most travelers who register with travel agencies are taking out insurance.

The travel accident insurance provided by China Life Insurance costs 25 yuan (US$3) for a four-to-seven-day trip, with the maximum compensation at 100,000 yuan (US$12,000).

(CCTV.com January 10, 2005)