Guangdong Issues Implementation Plan to Expand Consumption and Enforce Paid Annual Leave

On November 3, 2026, the Guangdong Provincial Development and Reform Commission released the "Guangdong Province Implementation Plan for Expanding Consumption," proposing to fully implement the paid annual leave system and enhance the rigidity of system enforcement. The plan encourages employers to combine annual leave with short holidays, arrange flexible staggered leave, and encourages qualified localities to set up spring and autumn breaks for primary and secondary schools; it also encourages trade unions at all levels to use funds, in accordance with regulations, for consumption areas such as holiday greetings, employee fitness, and cultural, sports and tourism activities. On November 5, media reports further disclosed the plan's measures in the tourism and accommodation sectors: it requires implementing the transit visa-free policy, focusing on increasing international direct flights to Europe, the United States and Belt and Road partner countries, increasing departure tax refund stores and port duty-free shops, and promoting "buy and refund immediately"; regarding accommodation, it proposes that cities with sufficient business hotel supply focus on increasing leisure and resort hotels, support the upgrading of existing hotels, and cultivate homestay clusters. The plan is currently at the issuance stage, and no further reports on subsequent implementation and supporting measures have been seen.