Jilin province attracted 7.7 million visitors during the Spring Festival holiday, with their combined expenses reaching 6.18 billion yuan ($988.5 million), a 20.4 percent rise year-on-year, according to the provincial tourism bureau.

Visitors and expenses grow steadily

A report from the Jilin Bureau of Statistics shows that both the number of visitors to Jilin and tourism-related expenses grew steadily. The province attracted 7.7 million visitors, 53.18 percent of them on short trips, during the Spring Festival holiday.

The visitors spent 6.18 billion yuan during their stay in Jilin, up 20.4 percent from the previous year. Per capita expenses stood at 801.98 yuan, a 4.21 percent increase year-on-year.

Most of them were on short trips or drove to visit friends and relatives. Tourists from within the province accounted for 41.19 percent of the total, with the rest mainly from Beijing as well as Liaoning, Heilongjiang and Shandong provinces.

Rimed scenery in Jilin province.[Photo/Xinhua]

Winter tourism products get popular

Jilin boasts winter-themed tourism resources. Rimed sceneries, hot springs, skiing as well as temple fairs are the most popular attractions for tourists.

Ski resorts in Jilin city, Shennong Hot Spring and Rime Island attracted large crowds of visitors. Shennong Hot Spring and Shengde Spring each received more than 100,000 visitors, generating more than 30 million yuan in revenue.

Colorful festive events

There were a large number of festive events across the province during the Spring Festival holiday. Some of the most popular ones included a rural dance competition in Erdao district in Changchun, the Beishan temple fair, the Yanji snow and ice festival, an event themed around the memory of youth at Dunhua, a winter fishing event at Helong city, a photo competition in the Changbai Mountains and an event to try hot springs at the Changbai Mountains.

Tourists spend more

Tourist food and beverage expenses grew 15 percent year-on-year in many cities including Changchun, Jilin and Yanbian. Family-themed banquets were especially popular, with more than 80 percent of tables reserved at medium and high-end hotels and restaurants.

Tourism market in order

Tourism authorities in the province ensured a "safe, civilized and orderly" Spring Festival holiday. The tourism market was in order, without severe complaints or accidents.

Tourist awareness improves

Local tourism authorities advocated civilized travel through TV, newspaper and other mass media outlets. Tourists improved their patience with delayed flights as well as trip arrangements. There was noticeably less garbage at major scenic spots than before.

Edited by Michael Thai