Lifeline cast to Urumqi travel companies

Paralyzed by the Xinjiang riot and the violent aftermath, the tourism industry, one of the pillars of this region's economy, may be resuscitated under a new proposal.

Under a plan by the tourism bureau of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, tourism-related companies will receive subsidies totaling 5 million yuan ($732,000). The plan is pending for approval from the regional government.

The plan is necessary to rescue an industry that lost an estimated 1 billion yuan in revenue after the unrest this month, said Chi Chongqing, the tourism bureau's Party chief.