Biz Scene: Local

Number plate price

The average price of private car number plates is likely to hit 53,000 yuan this month in the financial capital, according to an estimate by an official with the Shanghai Economic Committee's Information Center.

"Based on the current prices in the second-hand plate market, it's not surprising that the coming bid will see a new high," said Zhu Junyi, an official with the auto research department under the information center.

Last month, the average winning bid for a private plate increased 1,369 yuan from September to 51,000 yuan.

Macao beats HK

Macao logged 2.27 million visitors in September, 145,000 more than Hong Kong's registered number in the month, local media reported.

Macao Daily News, the local Chinese-language newspaper, quoted analysts as saying the overall visitor statistics for 2007 will possibly see Macao surpass Hong Kong.

The city's strong visitor flow in September was mainly stimulated by the opening up of the mega casino-hotel resort Venetian, the report said.

Tibet tourism

The Tibet Autonomous Region aims to boost its tourism industry by introducing travel routes around Qomolangma, the world's highest peak.

As winter draws, the tourism industry in Tibet is entering a low season but the local tourism bureau insists winter is a good time to see Qomolangma and plans to introduce new travel products around the area in the following months.

"Qomolangma can be seen clearly in winter since heavy fog engulfs the peak in summer," said Yu Yungui, a tourism official with the local government.

The region around the peak has received 32,000 visitors in the first nine months, generating a revenue of around 5 million yuan.

(China Daily 11/09/2007 page15)