After a “significant increase” in room occupancy in China during the tomb-sweeping festival holiday, top hotel chains are looking forward to the upcoming Labour Day weekend, which could bring the coronavirus-stricken industry a step closer to recovery.

During the Ching Ming Festival from April 4 to 6, hotel chains Accor and InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) saw a significant increase in occupancy levels as nearly all hotels across the country reopened for business.

Hotel occupancy on the mainland has been steadily rising, from a low of 7.4 percent during the first week of February to 31.8 percent on March 28, according to data analytics firm STR, which is yet to release figures for the holiday weekend. Around 87 percent of the mainland hotels in its database was open at the beginning of April, STR added.

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