Chinese tourists became more thrift during the just-ended seven-day National Day holiday, with a distinctive hallmark as compared with the previous years.

They, among other measures, tried to raise the temperatures of air conditioners in their hotels, prefer walking to taking cable cars. Many hotels and restaurants use more recyclable equipment.

During the concluding national day vacation, many cities promoted tours of farmland and defined it as a natural and economical week. Vacationers can pick fruit or stay fishing for a whole day with a cost of only 100 yuan (US$12.5).

Famous for its green pastures, Fengning area has more than 30 hotels opening between "May 1 Labor Day to Oct. 1 National Day vacation. Thanks to ideal local cozy weather, hotels often don’t have to use air conditioners or electronic fans even in summer time, thus cutting energy and reducing emission of carbon dioxide. Instead of having recreational or shower facilities, those hotels only ask grassland sightseeing and horse riding programs to save electricity and water.

China Tourism Hotel Association called for the whole industry to build an economical and harmonious society, reducing the change-overs of textile products and disposable equipment in the bathrooms.

It is vital to boost sustainable tourism growth and encourage the protection of consumers' environment, said Shao Qiwei, director of China National Tourism Administration.

Experts said when China becomes the world's leading tourism nation, it would a major task to develop the industry in an more thrift way, as it covers "food, accommodations, transport, entertainment, shopping and entertainment" factors.

When people in China are turning affluent, they also attach importance to their trips so as not to waste extra money. The "economical tourism way" will be reflected in the choice of transportation and hotels, said Ding Cong, a doctorate student specializing in sociology.

Trekking, hiking and camping are major three hobbies for many European and US travelers. It is a thrift way to travel as well as a natural way to embrace the nature, said Jean Louis Naudin, a back-packer to Beijing.

(Xinhua News Agency October 8, 2005)