Typhoon Matmo wreaks havoc in China amid Golden Week National Day holiday

Holiday plans for millions of travellers in China have been thrown into disarray as Typhoon Matmo barrelled toward southern China, disrupting one of the country’s busiest annual travel periods. The storm, expected to make landfall on October 5, has already led to widespread cancellations of flights, rail services, and ferry operations, particularly affecting Hainan and Guangdong provinces.Flights in and out of Haikou’s Meilan International Airport were suspended from late Saturday evening, reports said, adding that ferry services in coastal cities like Sanya had been halted. Rail networks across the region have also been disrupted, leaving thousands of holiday makers stranded or forced to reconsider travel plans. Local governments have implemented emergency measures, including the closure of schools, construction sites, and businesses, and have warned of potential flash floods, landslides and widespread transport delays.

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Hainan Island, a major domestic tourism hub known for its beaches and luxury resorts that sees thousands of visitors during the National Day break has seen mass cancellations due to the storm. Resorts in popular destinations are now facing temporary closures, with many travellers struggling to find alternative accommodations or flights.Moreover, the provinces of Guangdong, Yunnan and Guangxi are bracing for days of heavy rainfall and powerful winds. Major cities including Guangzhou and Shenzhen face flooding risks and severe weather conditions, as businesses anticipate significant revenue loss.

The typhoon has arrived at a time when domestic tourism is expected to surge. Over 630,000 visitors were projected to arrive in Hainan during the Golden Week holidays. The disruption is likely to dent short-term tourism earnings.

Travellers are being urged to check for updates on transportation services and to exercise caution when planning movement in affected areas. Many hotels and travel operators are working to accommodate changes, but disruptions are expected to continue until the storm subsides.