The 119 sightseeing spots monitored by China's travel authority reported 2.95 million tourist arrivals Friday, up 106.9 percent compared with the previous day, and 9.44 percent year on year, with revenues also up 2.38 percent year-on-year.

Tourists are seen at a scenic spot of Slender West Lake in Yangzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, October 2, 2009, the 2nd day of the National Day holiday. [Xinhua]

According to the National Tourism Administration, local governments and tourism agencies have made various special offers to lure visitors.

Hangzhou, a famous tourism spot of the eastern Zhejiang Province, for example, handed out 50,000 tour coupons to tourists and local residents.

The eight-day National Day Holiday this year, which started Thursday, is expected to boost travel business.

(Xinhua News Agency October 3, 2009)