Short-distance group tours in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province, have been gradually resumed in an orderly manner since April 1, according to local media.

Local authorities from the Xiamen Municipal Culture and Tourism Bureau said that intercity or interprovincial travel, as well as entry-exit travel, was still locked down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and a series of promotional activities which aim to promote the resumption of the city's tourism sector will be held.

Since March, travel agencies have resumed some of their activities, and tours around cities and 1-hour high-speed train trips are popular, according to a travel agency manager.

He said that due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, consumers are becoming more health conscious, which has led to rising demand for health tourism products, leisure agriculture and rural tourism, such as cycling, hiking and hot springs.

Authorities said that as the COVID-19 epidemic has not ended domestically and the pressure of imported cases is growing, scenic spots should make people's safety and health the top priority and take targeted measures as they reopen.