Schools' 'snow vacation' targets winter tourism

Students in several provinces in China's northeastern and northwestern regions are celebrating their first "snow vacation", a move that has drawn envy online. Experts say the pilot policy will help boost winter tourism and encourage improvements to the nation's paid leave system.

Altay in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, one of China's most popular winter destinations, has introduced a "snow vacation" for students in compulsory education — from primary to junior high school — from Monday to Friday. The regional capital Urumqi previously announced a similar nine-day break from Saturday to Dec 7.

Northeast China's Jilin province, also known for snow tourism and winter sports, will provide its first five-day snow vacation for students under compulsory education from Wednesday to Dec 7.

Local tourism authorities are rolling out diverse leisure and educational travel products with discounts during the holiday periods. Jilin, for example, has made 171 A-rated winter scenic spots and 39 certified skiing and skating venues open to primary and secondary school students free of charge, with discounted tickets available for their parents.

The province has also encouraged employees to take paid leave to accompany their children. Schools are instructed not to organize teaching activities or assign homework during the break.

Travel agencies said the introduction of snow vacations has already energized winter tourism in these areas and boosted travel bookings.

Data from travel platform Qunar shows that ticket reservations for tourism sites in Jilin from Wednesday to Dec 7 have increased by 13 percent year-on-year. Flight bookings departing from Changchun, Jilin's capital, surged by 57 percent from Friday — when the province announced the snow vacation — to Monday, compared with the previous week.

"I'm so jealous of the students in these areas," said Li Qin, a Beijing resident. "I love skiing and take a week of paid leave to ski every year. I hope the snow vacation can be popularized in other provinces so my future children can enjoy the white fairyland."

Wei Changren, founder of btiii.com, a tourism-related financial news website, said the snow vacation is not only aimed at stimulating local tourism and sports consumption but also at advancing the growth of winter tourism nationwide. It also sends a positive signal toward improving China's paid leave system, he said.

"These places like Jilin and Altay in Xinjiang are traditionally top winter destinations, and their development relies on consumption from both tourists and local residents," Wei said. Encouraging students to participate in winter activities can cultivate family enthusiasm for skiing and sightseeing, he added. "As more parents take paid leave to accompany their children, the nation's paid leave system will gradually improve."