Europe is expected to be a popular overseas destination for Shenzhen travelers during the May Day holidays, the Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported, citing local travel agencies.

Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, preferred locations for the Spring Festival holidays, will not be as popular during the coming holidays, according to travel agencies Jubang Travel Agency and Guangdong Travel Service.

The prices of the overseas routes are similar to those during the same period last year, with a Europe tour costing about 15,000 yuan (US$1,849).

An increasing number of people now prefer "free trips," tours for which travel agencies only provide air tickets, hotel accommodation and visa services, according to the Jubang Travel Agency.

China International Travel Service' Shenzhen branch will operate three chartered tours from Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Wuhan to Japan. The tour from Shenzhen to Kyushu in Japan lasts five days.

Several Shenzhen travel agencies have launched tours to Singapore and Phuket Island by passenger liner.

Tourism visas for Japan, South Korea or Southeast Asian nations can be obtained within seven working days of application. Visa applications for Europe tours, which usually involve several countries, need about 14 days. Most travel agencies stop receiving applications for overseas trips 15 days before the trip starts.

(Shenzhen Daily April 6, 2006)