Resumption

After going through the darkest hour, good news finally arrived for the tourism sector last month when travel agencies were given the green light to resume most transprovincial group tours after a break of nearly six months.

Businesses in the sector rely heavily on these cross-provincial trips to make profits. Having been given permission to resume operations, many companies will see tourists and jobs return, Zhang said.

According to a recent survey released by the tourism academy, potential demand remains high, with more than 80 percent of those polled indicating a willingness to travel.

Given this light at the end of the tunnel, Zhang said it's time to call back all his staff and make preparations for the belated tourist season.

"Though, it's already late July, 'spring' has finally arrived for our tourism business," he said.