If you're planning to travel during the Spring Festival next month, prepare to be gouged by airlines and travel agents planning to raise prices on both domestic and overseas trips.

An informal survey of tour prices offered by four of Shanghai's largest travel agencies shows that average price will increase by more than 1,000 yuan (US$120) during the first half of the seven-day holiday, but costs will drop during the second half.

A trip to Hainan Island, for instance, will more than double in price during the week, costing 3,400 yuan per person - up from the normal price of 1,500 yuan.

"Price increases are mainly due to the increased cost of airline tickets," said Yan Jianguo with Shanghai China Travel Service Corp. Ltd.

A trip to Kunming, Yunnan Province, another hotspot in southwestern China, will cost 800 yuan more than usual due to higher airline ticket fees, said Yan.

While prices will rise during the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday, they won't rise as high as they did last year, according to Chen Jisheng of the Shanghai Spring International Travel Service Co., the city's largest domestic tour operator.

For instance, a five-day package to Beijing, including air fares and accommodation, cost as much as 2,480 yuan last year but will only cost 2,050 yuan this year. Normally the trip costs about 1,200 yuan, Chen said.

With prices cheaper than last year, local travel agents estimate 80 percent more local residents will travel outside Shanghai between February 8 and 20 than those who travelled during last year's Spring Festival period.

Most of them will travel during the later part of the week after enjoying Lunar New Year's Eve - falling on February 11 - with their family, said Chen.

Travelers heading overseas will also see prices rise during the holiday.

"The warmer countries, including those in the Southeast Asia and Australia, are popular destinations," said Zhao Dexiang with the Shanghai China International Travel Service Co.

So popular, in fact, that it's almost impossible to still book an overseas trip anywhere except Hong Kong and Macau, despite increased prices, said Zhao Dexiang.

( eastday.com January 23, 2002)