Shanghai to host world travel fair

Over 750 exhibitors from 53 countries and regions have registered to take part in the Shanghai World travel fair (SWTF) from April 18 to 21.

The Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism said Morocco, Madagascar, Papua New Guinea, Gabon and Turkmenistan will make their debuts at the expo to be held at ShanghaiExhibition Center.

Long-term partner exhibitors from Italy, Russia, Sri Lanka, Japan, Cambodia, Peru and Cuba will showcase new products and services in accordance with the new trends in China's tourism market, according to the organizer.

The booth of Tanzania at the 15th Shanghai World travel fair, May 24, 2018. /VCG Photo

The booth of Sri Lanka at the 15th Shanghai World travel fair, May 24, 2018. /VCG Photo

The annual event is a platform to showcase China's natural landscapes, as local tourist authorities vie to present their tourist resources with high tech measures at the fair.

It will convene local tourism bureaus, agencies, online tour operators, airline companies, theme park operators, hotels and insurance companies. It is expected to attract over 15,000 professional visitors and 50,000 travel-lovers this year, said the organizer.

In 2018, Chinese tourists made 150 million overseas trips and 5.5 billion domestic trips. Major tourist destinations in the Chinese mainland received 48 million foreign visitors last year.

(Cover: The logo of the Shanghai World travel fair. /VCG Photo)