The port city of Dalian in Liaoning Province, northeast China, will once again become the international focus of the tourism industry when the International Scenic Spot and Resort Exhibition opens from April 20 to 23 next year at the Xinghai Convention and Exhibition Center.

Organized by the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) and the Dalian Municipal Government, the exhibition will offer a wide range of exhibits involving state- and provincial-level holiday zones, scenic spots, travel cities, historic sites, forest parks, zoological and botanical gardens, theme parks, amusement centers, hotels, travel agencies, transportation service, handicrafts and travel projects.

A CNTA official said at a press conference today that the exhibition will allow people in China and overseas to have a comprehensive view of China's tourism industry and promote extensive ties between tourist businesses.

CNTA statistics indicate that China has 12 state-level resort destinations, more than 120 state-level scenic spots and 750 historic sites under state protection. Of these 750 sites, 23 are now part of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage List.

China's tourism has witnessed steady growth this year. From January to October, overseas arrivals reached 59.75 million, up 14. 56 percent over the same period last year, with tourist revenues surging 12.98 percent to 11.65 billion US dollars.