The world Travel Fair 2005 opens today and run through January 23 at the Shanghai New International Expo Center.

About 480 companies from 47 different countries and regions take part in the event, which is being organized by the Shanghai Tourism Administrative Commission and VNU Exhibition Europe.

Tourism bureaus, travel agencies, scenic site managers, hotel executives, and airlines, as well as travel financing companies, souvenir producers and service providers from both home and abroad will set up booths at the fair, which will cover an area of more than 4,000 square meters.

"With local people earning more money, travel has become an indispensable part of residents' lives," said Zhu Chengrong of the event's organizing committee. "Various lectures held during the fair will provide rich information and guidance for Chinese tourists, helping them better plan their inbound and outbound trips throughout the year."

Travel companies from some countries hit by the Indian Ocean tsunami, such as India, Malaysia and Thailand, will also come to the fair to discuss the current situation and the reconstruction of facilities in the disaster-affected regions.

"We'll try to encourage more Chinese people to travel to these countries if conditions permit," Zhu added.

(Shanghai Daily January 20, 2005)