More Tourists Flock to Three GorgesStatistics show that the Wushan Little Three Gorges, often referred to here as a weathervane indicating the tourism prospects in the Three Gorges area, attracted 180,000 domestic and foreign tourists in the January-May period this year, a 34 percent increase over the same time last year.Information from a steamboat tour line, also shows the industry shows evidence of recovery in the Three Gorges area, where a gigantic hydropower project is under construction. The Chongqing Company, operating under the Yangtze Overseas Traveling Steamboat Company, the largest of its kind on the Yangtze River, recorded a business income in the first five months equivalent to last year's total. The number of travelers handled by the company went up by 20 percent. Insiders have attributed the increase of travelers to the efforts by the local government to publicize the Three Gorges project in China, and for potential tourists from overseas, the annual Three Gorges International Tourism Festival, as well as various celebrations on folk arts and customs. Improvement of transportation facilities such as the opening of more international air routes, and cleanup of the local environment are also cited as factors that have lured tourists. |
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