Tourism industry to mull recovery from global financial crisis in S. China

HAIKOU, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Players of the world's tourism industry are gathering at the 2010 Boao International Tourism Forum in south China's Hainan Province to discuss measures related to the industry's recovery from global financial crisis, provincial authorities said Thursday.

Boao International Tourism Forum is scheduled to open Saturday in Sanya, a tourist resort in Hainan, according to Tan Li, vice governor of Hainan.

During the main forum, March 20 to 21, discussions would focus on promoting tourism by culture, sports and media. The achievements of the forum were to be documented in Hainan Tourism Declaration, said Tan.

"The declaration will play a significant role in promoting the recovery of world tourism industry," he said.

Two other statements on how to boost tourism by developing golf and yacht industries would be formed at seminars held between March 18 and 20, Tan added.

More than 2,000 guests from across the globe would attend the forum, including 60 ministerial-level officials, executives of world's major tourism associations and representatives from top Chinese and international firms, he said.

"The participation of so many influential guests shows that the world is eager to pull the tourism industry out of the global financial downturn," Tan added.

China has decided to build Hainan into an "international tourism island" with world-class service and facilities by 2020. And the central Chinese government announced Jan. 4 a guideline regarding approval of the construction plan.