HANGZHOU: China is set to become the second-largest tourism economy in the world in 10 years, according to a report by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).

China's consumption and investment in the tourism industry is expected to grow by 14 per cent year-on-year to 2.77 trillion yuan (US$346.3 billion) this year.

China is expected to boast the second-highest growth in tourism demand in the world, with a projected annual growth of 8.7 per cent from 2007 to 2016, says the report.

Figures from the China National Tourism Administration show China received 120 million visitors last year. The number is expected to grow by 8 per cent in the next five years; by 2019, the nation will receive a predicted 137 million visitors to become the world's biggest inbound tourism nation.

Safety is considered one of the major reasons foreign tourists choose China as a destination, said Wei Xiao'an, a researcher with the Tourism Research Centre of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

The September 11, 2001 tragedy in the United States is a reminder that safety should be considered in assessing a tourism environment, said Wei.

Meanwhile, more international conferences are being held in China as the nation's economy booms, he said.

Chinese travellers have become major contributors to the the international tourism industry.

Chinese citizens made 31 million trips abroad last year and the figure is expected to grow by 10 per cent this year.

Many countries have instituted preferential policies to attract Chinese tourists.

Russia began offering visa-free entry to Chinese tourists in April.

Italy is offering Chinese services at popular destinations as the country is expecting more tourists from China, said Antonio Tozzi, chairman of the Italian Federation of Travel Agencies and Tour Operators.

(China Daily 05/05/2006 page2)

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