A high ranking official with the State Administration of Tourism yesterday predicted that China's SARS-affected tourism industry will fully recover next year.

The expected "blowout" of tourism enthusiasm during the upcoming seven-day National Day holiday will not occur, Wei Xiao'an, director in charge of planning and development of the administration, told a forum in Shanghai.

"It's not a 'golden week' that will rejuvenate China's tourism," said Wei, "it will need a much longer and harder process."

The recovery will include the number of tourists as well as the spending on tourism and the profits of tourism companies, said Wei.

He noted that after the SARS outbreak, some tourists are keen on off-season travel to avoid the busy peak.

"Many are bringing forward or delaying their holiday schedule," said Wei. "Maybe it will be more suitable if we call it 'golden month.'"

Over the past two months, many travel agencies adopted low-price promotion policies to stimulate the tourism market in the aftermath of the severe acute respiratory syndrome, which lowered people's enthusiasm for travel.

To make up for their losses, many agents have increased the prices for overall tour packages during the October 1-7 period by 15 percent. For some packages, the price hike is nearly 30 percent.

Wei is optimistic about next year's tourism market, saying that there is great potential for rural tourism.

He also predicted that overseas capital and individual capital are contributing more money to the sector. Total investment in the sector will reach 100 billion yuan (US$12 billion) in 2004.

Meanwhile starting today, China is to release daily information on popular tourism areas until October 8 through major media, sources with the Public Security Ministry in Beijing said yesterday.

The daily information will mainly include traffic reports and accidents at 28 major scenic spots, major traffic accidents in 31 tourism cities, and other necessary information for tourists.

The daily information will be publicized through China's three major media, Xinhua news agency, the Central People's Broadcasting Station of China, and China Central Television.

The 28 major scenic spots include the Potala Palace in Tibet, the Mogao Grottoes at Dunhuang, the Jiuzhaigou Natural Scenic Reserve and the Yellow Dragon Resort, and the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

The 31 key tourism cities include Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Dalian, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhangjiajie, Guilin, Kunming, and Xi'an.

Since the National Day was first officially prolonged to seven days in 1999, the holidays have become a "golden week" for the economy.

With more people encouraged to travel across the country, traffic problems have become a major concern for the government.

(Xinhua News Agency September 30, 2003)