Lifeline cast to Urumqi travel companies

By Cao Li (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-07-17 10:13

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.

Chi forecasts losses totaling 5 billion yuan this year.

Lifeline cast to Urumqi travel companies

The funding would subsidize tourist agencies or redeem companies who slashed ticket prices to many scenic spots, he said.

In addition, each traveler who visits Xinjiang before Aug 31 would receive a 10-yuan subsidy per day under the proposal, Chi said, predicting the move could attract 50,000 tourists during the period.

The proposal also suggests that all top-flight tourist destinations in Xinjiang cut ticket prices by half.

The bureau is also negotiating with airlines about fare cuts to attract more passengers.

"We plan to broadcast promotional videos on TV and dispatch sales staff to other regions across China soon," Chi said.

About 3,400 domestic and overseas tourist groups, comprising 200,000 travelers, had canceled tours as of Sunday, Chi said.

Previous 1 2 Next Page