Travelers were walking on the street of Shanghai. During the one week long period of May Day holiday, tourism revenue amounted to 46.7 billion yuan (US.6 billion) - up 20 percent on last year.

China's national tourism development plan aims at tripling the total tourism revenue by 2020, on the basis of that in 2000. It was said by China National Tourism Administration (CNTA).

In other words, by 2020 total revenue of China's tourism industry will amount to 3.6 trillion yuan (US.3 billion), equal to 8% of the GDP at that time.

According to a World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) research report about China's tourism and travel industry received by CNTA, China's tourism and travel industry will enjoy an optimistic prospect in the coming decade.

By 2013, the industry will reach an annual growth rate of 10.9%, directly contribute 844.6 billion yuan (US.1 billion) to GDP, employ 16.1 million people and indirectly create 65.8 million positions.

In the coming decade, the industry will maintain a high growth rate and growth of outbound tourism will become a new spotlight. In 2013, China's outbound tourism is expected to grow 22.4%.

At the same time, statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics show that China's economy has entered a new period of rapid growth and a fundamental change in supportive force of economic growth is witnessed.

Such change can be seen from upgrade of consumption structure of urban residents. Tourism, housing, family sedans and communication equipment have become a consumer hot-spot and gradually an important force to promote steady economic growth.

Francesco Frangialli, secretary-general of the World Tourism Organization, praised China's achievements in development of tourism industry. He said that by 2020 China would be the largest tourism destination in the world.

(Xinhua News Agency May 17, 2005)