Hometown holidays being sacrificed for work

Family reunions in cities where the younger generation work, rather than older relatives' hometowns, are becoming more popular for important holidays, according to a survey by an online travel agency.

The new arrangement helps young workers avoid travel rushes during national holidays, such as the approaching Spring Festival.

Qunar, an online travel agency based in Beijing, released a report on Tuesday, saying that 40 percent of its users have booked flights for their relatives to visit them in the city they work in.

The survey showed a 19 percent year-on-year increase in reservations for travelers above 60, and a 27 percent year-on-year rise for children under 12 year.

Spending the Spring Festival holiday with family members at tourist destinations was also popular with the generation born in the 1980s and 1990s, the survey said.

Sanya and Hailou in Hainan province are the most popular domestic destinations due to their warm climates. Popular overseas destinations include Bangkok and Phuket in Thailand and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, according to the survey.