He said that generally speaking, China's tourism had maintained steady, rapid and healthy development in the past 20 years. Although seriously affected by the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), the unique fascination of China for tourists was never changed. China is still a healthy, safe and attractive tourism destination, waiting for overseas tourists. China will provide rich tourism products and qualified service for global visitors.

He said an unstable international situation and global economic slowdown were two major factors preventing world tourism growth. In China, the political situation is steady, the economy continued to grow and wealth was increasing. All of these factors would create a good environment for the tourism industry to recover.

He said China's industry realized "safety is the guideline of tourism" and accumulated more experience after SARS by increasing tourism safety consciousness and forming tourism security systems.

Officials with the World Tourism Organization said that although SARS had a negative influence on tourism, the prospects for China to rank first in terms of the number of tourists, and fourth in terms of a source of tourists remain unchanged.

(People's Daily July 17, 2003)