Shenzhen intends to attract 1 million tourists from other parts of China with a shopping carnival in the latter half of December.

The Shenzhen Municipal Tourism Bureau, one of the sponsors, said 500,000 from Hong Kong and Macao and another 500,000 from inland areas were expected to visit the 10-day carnival, from Dec. 24 to Jan. 3, 2004.

It would mean 2 billion yuan (US$240 million) in income for Shenzhen if the per capita expenditure was 2,000 yuan, the bureau said.

The bureau would send delegations to Hong Kong, Macao and other cities in the Pearl River Delta region to promote the carnival.

Shenzhen's shopping centers, catering businesses and tourist attractions will hold colorful promotions which will include art performances.

The carnival would be bigger than one staged in summer, aiming to pull more people from outside the city to spend money here, a Shenzhen Evening News report said Thursday.

The Shenzhen Municipal government expected the influx of shoppers would stimulate and accelerate the economy, the paper said. The carnival would be held twice a year from next year, officials said.

 
(Shenzhen Daily November 7, 2003)