NE Asia to Grow into International Tourism CenterTourism will develop into a pillar industry of Northeast Asia, thus growing into the world's fourth center in this aspect after Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia.At a recent international seminar on Northeast Asia peace and development, experts agreed that though a vast area of the region is still at the initial phase in tourism industry, the government attention of the countries inside and the enthusiasm of those outside the region will be a strong push for the regional tourism growth. Official statistics show that changes have taken place in the regional tourism market in recent years. Neighboring countries such as China and Russia, China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and China and Mongolia have opened their tourism market and border trade sector to each other since the late 1980s. A Japanese expert said, "Tourism development in Northeast Asia is starting a full-scale battle." Japan and the Republic of Korea are two main hot scenic spots in the region. Now they are starting to inspire citizens to go outside as well. Some countries in the region still need to sharpen their competitive edge because their interior infrastructure facilities need improving, tourism products need diversifying, and their tourism services need standardizing. Experts said the region should develop a visa-free tourism area in the future, which is very likely to come true thanks to the " Peace and Development" strategy constantly upheld by the Northeast Asian countries and their great enthusiasm in this aspect. Northeast Asia, with nearly 300 million population and 7.6 million square kilometers, is rich in tourism resources. |
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