Thirty-two local travel agencies have received overseas travel business licenses from the National Tourism Administration, following the latter's announcement on July 1 that agencies would be allowed to apply for such permits after meeting "certain" criterion, the Shanghai Tourism Administrative Commission said yesterday.

In addition to the original five licensed agencies, another 27 agencies, which handle overseas tourists arriving in the city, got approval from the state authority to organize outbound tours, officials said. Meanwhile, more than 500 travel agencies across the country now have the nod to participate in the lucrative business of sending tourists abroad

(eastday.com July 22, 2002 )