BEIJING: Search volumes for group tours and self-guided travel skyrocketed by 500 percent after China announced to resume group tours across the country, while overseas tours remain suspended, data from travel agency Trip.com showed. China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism issued a circular on Tuesday resuming group tours across the country, while overseas tours remain suspended. Overseas tours remain suspended for the time being. “As the most representative tourism product, group tours will lead the whole sector’s full resumption,” said Gou Zhipeng, president of Chinese online travel agency Qunar.com. Travel agencies and online travel service providers were asked to cancel group tours and travel packages that included flight tickets and hotels.

Source: Manila Times July 16, 2020 17:26 UTC