Unique accommodation options such as boutique hotels, recreational vehicles (RVs) and camping have emerged as a new travel trend in Lianyungang City in east China's Jiangsu Province, fueling local tourism ahead of the May Day holiday.
The upcoming May Day holiday in China, running from May 1 to May 5, is expected to drive strong demand for accommodation in Lianyungang, as many popular hotels and guesthouses neighboring major tourist attractions had already been fully booked as early as mid-April.
In the historic Old Street of Minzhu Road in downtown Lianyungang, boutique hotels have become a top choice for visitors seeking a sense of history.
Hotel managers say that both occupancy rates and bookings have continued to rise steadily throughout April.
"Since April, occupancy rates have remained stable at over 80 percent not only on weekends but also on weekdays, with rooms often fully booked. Rooms for the May Day holiday were booked out half a month in advance," said Li Hong, manager of a local boutique hotel.
Meanwhile, RV camping is also gaining popularity and has become one of the hottest trends for this year's May Day holiday.
The Qingsongling Forest Park has upgraded its camping facilities to better accommodate recreational vehicles.
"This is my first time traveling here in a RV. We dine and sleep in the vehicle, feeling quite relaxing," said a visitor.
Furthermore, bookings for tent campsites in the park have surged by about 60 percent compared to regular non-holiday periods.
Unique accommodation fuels tourism in east China city
Iran’s move to resume international flights after weeks of suspension following U.S. and Israeli strikes signals confidence in the temporary ceasefire, a Chinese Middle East expert told China Global Television Network (CGTN) on Saturday.
Iran's Imam Khomeini International Airport, the country's largest hub, resumed international passenger flights on Saturday, the first time since the war with the United States and Israel began about two months ago.
Wang Jin, director of the Center for Strategic Studies at Northwest University in China, said the reopening of skies serves as a barometer of peace and a sign that stability is beginning to return to the region.
"I think it means that certainty is coming back to this region and the ceasefire actually continues, because when we are talking about the resumption of airplanes, we are talking about the confidence for peace is coming back. We're talking about the stability of the regional situation is coming back. China is one part of the decision. China cannot be alone when all the airplanes are suspended. China cannot be left with the resumption of the airplanes. China is hoping to share with the benefits of the ceasefire. It's good news for not only China, but also good news for everybody," Wang said.
Iran shut down its airspace after joint U.S. and Israeli strikes on Feb. 28, halting civilian aviation nationwide. The country began gradually reopening on April 18, starting with eastern airspace and smaller airports.
Iran’s Civil Aviation Authority has said flight services will return to normal once technical and operational preparations by military and civilian authorities are completed.
Iran's flight resumption signals confidence in ceasefire: expert
