Source: CCTV.com

03-15-2009 16:09

The largest tourism fair in the world has opened in Berlin, Germany. China's Sichuan Province is promoting its attractions at an international show for the first time since the earthquake last May.

China's Sichuan Province is promoting its attractions at an international show for the first time since the earthquake  last May.

China has a strong presence at the travel fair, the largest of its kind in the world. Exhibitors are from both national and local level, as well as independent enterprises.

Sichuan province suffered from a devastating earthquake last May. Its presence at the fair sends a positive signal of confidence. Its tourism industry has performed better than expected. Revenue in 2008 dropped only 10 percent compared to a year ago. The Chinese government has given a lot of support towards the recovery of Sichuan's historical tourism resources, which include complicated geographic features.

Huang Yanrong, Vice Governor of Sichuan Province, says, "although we experienced a major earthquake, the impact on Sichuan's tourism resources has been only fractional. The fundamental features haven't changed. The province still has plenty of tourism resources. So we are sending a signal to friends around the world: Sichuan is still beautiful. Sichuan tourism is safe. We are in gratitude to the great international support we received. We sincerely invite friends around the world to visit Sichuan. We will provide a high-quality and warm-hearted tourism service for them."

The fair has attracted 11 thousand exhibitors from 187 nations. Organizers say the participation rate shows people around the world remain confident about the prospects for the tourism industry amid a severe global economic downturn.

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Editor:Qin Yongjing