East China's Zhejiang Province is touting a series of 36 festivals and tour routes this year to attract more domestic and foreign tourists, officials announced on Friday in Beijing.

At a news briefing on tourism, Wang Yongming, vice-governor of Zhejiang, said the "Highlights of Zhejiang" will be one part of the "New Century Tours of the Divine Land in the Millennium," promoted by the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA).

Other events include the International Tides Festival on the Qiantang River, the Golden Fall Tourist Festival in Hangzhou, provincial capital of Zhejiang, the International Costume Festival in Ningbo and a variety of itineraries featuring the province's picturesque landscapes and rich history.

Wang said 940,000 foreign tourists visited last year, spending US$410 million in the province.

Zhejiang also witnessed the influx of 51 million domestic visitors, bringing an income of 37.5 billion yuan (US$4.5 billion). Total tourism revenues amounted to 40.9 billion yuan (US$4.9 billion).

"Tourism has become one of the most rapidly growing industries of Zhejiang," Wang said.

At the briefing, Lu Budong, general manager of the Zhejiang Tourism Group Corporation Ltd, spoke of the province's rich resources.

Zhejiang has 11 national scenic areas, including the famous West Lake in Hangzhou, Mount Putuo and Thousand Isles Lake, and 28 cultural relics under State protection, he said. The province also has a 6,000-kilometre coastline and more than 3,000 islands.

Meanwhile, the Zhejiang Tourism & Culture Exhibition was held last weekend in the Beijing International Hotel. Co-sponsored by the Zhejiang provincial government and CNTA, the exhibition showcased a variety of Zhengjiang specialities, such as colourful brocades and exquisite glass carvings. (China Daily)