Gansu Province has made a five- year plan to further develop the tourism industry, local sources said.

According to the plan, the province will set up a tourism center, three tour zones and open six key tourist routes during the period.

The new tour programs will feature sightseeing of scenic spots in southern Gansu as well as tours to western Gansu to see historical and cultural relic sites along the ancient Silk Road including the initial Jiayuguan Pass of the Great Wall and the famous Dunhuang Grottos.

From the year 2005, the province is expected to receive 280,000 to 320,000 tourists and earn 5.7 billion yuan (about US$689 million), up 12 to 15 percent and 15 to 20 percent respectively than now.

To realize the plan, the provincial government will also make considerable effort to build tourist facilities. By 2005, travel agencies and tourist hotels in the province will total 200 and 100 respectively.

At the same time, the province will develop 200 tour sites and open five tourist commodity markets.

(People’s Daily 03/08/2001)