Travel agencies were restricted to organizing tours in local regions and China would do its best to ensure the safety of inbound tourists, said He Guangwei, director of the China National Tourism Administration.

The China International Travel Service (CITS) had set up a special disease prevention center to disinfect sales counters, halls and reception rooms and dining rooms. Education of guides was also strengthened in order to remind them of health protection of tourists, said Chen Fuyao, vice-president of CITS.

Guides provided two masks to foreign tourists every day and monitored them carefully, said Gong Wanchun, vice-president of China Travel Service.

China's hotels also increased disinfection and ventilation measures in lobbies, elevators, guestrooms and kitchens, in order to ensure the hygiene of air and food.

The average room price in hotels climbed a little, though occupancy fell because of these measures, said Xin.

China's tourist industry had encountered temporary difficulties, but it would still grow rapidly after a successful war against SARS, said Li Jilie, general manager of China Comfort Travel. Tourism enterprises tried to lower the costs by encouraging employees to take holidays and reducing purchases, Li added.

(Xinhua News Agency April 22, 2003)