Experts gathered here Tuesday to discuss methods of promoting tourism recovery after the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

The catering and tourism industries began to rebound, but the influence of SARS will last longer. Inbound tourism is a typical example, which not only hurt the short-term interests of tourism enterprises, but also the desire of international tourists, said Bo Baohua, vice general manager of China Travel Service. He appealed for the government to provide further support.

China's tourism industry will be further enhanced after SARS, said Li Jingwen, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

He said China had many travel agencies, few of which could compete with foreign counterparts. China's travel agencies should merge and regroup, to benefit from economies of scale.

A system should be urgently established within the tourism industry, to strengthen the anti-risk capabilities of tourism enterprises, said Ning Jizhe, an expert with the Research Office of the State Council.

China's tourism should increase market management and improve service quality, said Jiang Weixin, deputy director with the State Development and Reform Commission.

He said China should increase promotion methods to restore the tourism market and retain quality service. Governments should protect tourism resources and maintain sustainable development. They should also increase tourism infrastructure investment and create a more healthy environment for tourists.

After SARS, tourism should be enhanced, including developing a more orderly market and more modernized resources. China is very rich in tourism resources, and high in tourism demand, said Chen Huai, an expert with the Development Research Center of the State Council.

(Xinhua News Agency August 6, 2003)