Crystal and porcelain models of the city's significant landmarks and tourist attractions, and dye-printed clothing are highlights of the 3rd Shanghai Tourism & Consumables Exposition, which opened on Friday.

Held at the Shanghai Yuyuan Tourist Mart, a popular shopping venue for foreign tourists, as part of the ongoing Shanghai Tourism Festival, the five-day event will close tomorrow.

About 100 domestic and overseas companies are displaying their products, mainly souvenirs, at the annual fair, which city officials hope will help boost the local souvenir industry.

Tourism has become a new source of revenue for Shanghai, which attracts millions of visitors a year.

During the first seven months, 1.15 million foreign tourists visited the city, an increase of 22.75 percent over the same period in 2000. The Shanghai Tourism Administrative Commission estimated 2 million overseas tourists will visit the city this year, bringing in US$1.96 billion.

Local authorities said they plan to turn the Tianyu Commercial Building at the sprawling Yuyuan Tourist Mart into a souvenir shopping center after the expo.

One of the city's most popular souvenirs is glass products.

At the fair, Shanghai Yongheng Souvenir Co. Ltd. is displaying its three dazzling glass models of the city's panorama and Science Museum, and a combination of landmarks in the 21 member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.

"The city government will present our glass-made models as gifts to APEC leaders," said Wang Yongfen, sales manager of Yongheng. "Crystal miniatures of the world's famous architecture, like Japan's Golden Temple and Malaysia's Twin Towers, are popular among tourists."

Many visitors to the fair are attracted by a series of colored glass accessories and ornaments elaborately designed by artist Heinrich Wang. They are patterned with pictures of Shanghai's symbolic flower, magnolia, and its best-known landmark, the Oriental Pearl Broadcasting and TV Tower.

David Lee, chief executive of Davanchi Corp., a U.S. souvenir designer and producer, said his company is hoping to cash in on China's fast-growing tourism and souvenir industry.

"We have set up our China headquarters in Shanghai," he said.

(Eastday.com.cn 09/24/2001)