Zhejiang Province in east China is working to double the number of overseas tourist arrivals and tourism income in five years, according to a development plan.

On a yearly basis the province will have received two million overseas tourists and earned US$1 billion in tourism income by 2005, compared with last year's 1.1 million and US$1514 million.

Yao Shenghou, deputy director of the provincial tourism bureau, said that the province has offered a new travel route called "Beautiful Scenery of Zhejiang." The newly launched route will lead overseas tourists to key scenic spots in Zhejiang, including Wuzhen, Xitangzhen, West Lake, Longyou Grotto, and Shaoxing WateryRegion.

A number of high-quality hotels and travel agencies have been selected to provide the best possible service to overseas tourists. Local governments along the route have pledged to give full support to ensure the operation of the tourist route, Yao said.

He said that some overseas travel agencies and media organizations are invited to come for an on-the-spot inspection of the route, a tourism trade fair will be held in June to promote tourism cooperation with Taiwan, and Zhejiang tourism promotion groups will go to Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, the United States, Canada and other parts of the world to seek business opportunities in the latter half of the year.

(Eastday.com.cn 05/28/2001)