The four-day World Travel Fair opens on Thursday in east China's metropolis of Shanghai, attracting nearly 500 exhibitors from 50 countries and regions.

Exhibitors from famous tourist destinations, such as Japan, Malaysia and the Republic of Korea are attending the fair, according to an organizer of the fair.

The exhibition also attracts delegations from the Middle East countries such as Israel, Iran and the United Arab Emirates, which make their debut at the fair this year, the organizer said.

During the fair, a matchmaking program will be organized for exhibitors and travel agents, and the public can also book travel agencies and tourist spots, according to the organizer.

As more overseas tourist destinations open to Chinese citizens, China sees a growing number of people traveling abroad. Statistics from the China National Tourism Administration showed that more than 30 million Chinese went abroad for sightseeing in 2005.

(Xinhua News Agency March 31, 2006)