On March 5, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang pointed out in this year's Government Work Report: "We will deepen reform and opening up in the service sector and implement and support systems such as paid leave." It is reported that since the beginning of this year, Chinese authorities have mentioned the implementation of paid leave five times.
On July 31, Wu Wenxue, Deputy Director of the National Tourism Administration, revealed at a State Council policy briefing that this briefing signaled some concrete measures to implement paid leave, including encouraging "short weekend breaks" of "Friday afternoon + weekend."
This policy, which is a major boon for the tourism industry, is especially encouraging for Tujia.com, a global apartment and homestay booking platform that announced on August 3 that it had just secured $300 million in new funding. What will the "short weekend break" bring? Let’s hear it from our editor.
"Short weekend breaks" allow family trips to slow down and enjoy life
The "short weekend break" specifically refers to "Friday afternoon + weekend," adding half a day of holiday time, which is highly beneficial for those choosing weekend trips nearby, especially for families with children, giving them time to slow down and enjoy life.
It is understood that the majority of those who currently choose nearby trips are families with children or groups of families traveling together, mainly for leisure and relaxation, serving as a catalyst to balance work and life. Families usually opt for self-driving tours due to the shorter distance and convenience. Travel time often starts right after work on Friday, which coincides with the weekend rush hour and the end-of-work rush hour, leading to prolonged driving times and severely affecting the quality of the trip. The Friday afternoon holiday not only helps avoid traffic congestion but also allows more time for trip preparations.
Mr. Chen, who works in Beijing, said: "Two days for a weekend trip is indeed a bit tight, but adding half a day makes it much more relaxed, and we can even go farther."
Policy boosts nearby travel, directly benefiting Tujia’s business model
According to 2014 survey data, the weekend travel market can reach hundreds of millions of trips annually, with consumer demand shifting toward leisure, independent travel, mobile access, and immediate decision-making. The government’s encouragement of the "short weekend break" policy ensures time for weekend travel, directly stimulating the growth of the short-term rental travel market.
For Tujia.com, a global apartment and homestay booking platform, this is a major advantage. Tujia.com offers over 310,000 carefully selected apartments, including vacation apartments, hotel apartments, villas, RVs, cabins, and homestays. Examples include the Meilu Manor Villas near Beijing’s Baiyangdian and the Xitang Inn near Shanghai, as well as high-quality residences in popular first- and second-tier cities such as Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Nanjing, Hangzhou, and Chengdu—all exquisitely furnished, fully equipped with amenities, offering high privacy and spaciousness, making them perfect for family trips. Additionally, the "short weekend break" policy increases the number of lodging nights, directly benefiting Tujia’s non-standard accommodation business model.
Nearby travel drives related tourism industries and boosts local consumption
It is reported that nearby city travel can directly impact the development of industries such as dining, hotel services, tourism accommodations, cultural sightseeing, and eco-picking, stimulating local consumption. It can also draw attention to tourist destinations "nearby" the city, making them great spots for visitors to relax and unwind.
Although it is still unclear when the policy will be implemented, the public has shown strong enthusiasm for the "short weekend break." Many office workers have also expressed that weekend trips can relieve work stress, allow time with family, and are a preferred choice.