China's overall inbound tourism market is improving and tourist arrivals are beginning to grow, said Shen Huirong, a senior official with the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA).

In September, tourists arrival increased by 2.17 percent over the same period of last year, turning around the negative growth which had lasted for six months since March. Hong Kong and Macao, as the major inbound tourist markets, took the lead in the market recovery. In September, tourist arrivals from Hong Kong and Macao increased by 4.17 percent and 2.36 percent respectively. Arrivals by foreign visitors also showed signs of recovery.

Shen said the sudden outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) this year hurt China's tourism industry. A series of events and campaigns including a Special Meeting of ASEAN, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea Tourism Ministers, the 15^th Session of the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization, and advertising of China's tourism on CNN, had been successful.

She said the 2003 China International Travel Mart will gain wide recognition from the international community of China's success in combating SARS, and will help reestablish China's image as a healthy and safe tourist destination.

(Xinhua News Agency November 20, 2003)