Tourism revenue in north China's Hebei province is estimated to reach more than 200 billion yuan ($ 30.46 billion) by 2015, local newspaper Yanzhao Evening News reported yesterday.
The provincial government is making efforts to establish tourism as a strategic pillar industry during the Twelfth Five-Year period (2011-2015), according to Hebei's tourism authorities.
Zhang Tianping, vice director of the provincial tourism administration, stated that intensification of the construction of over 20 high-speed railways, over 30 highways and three airports mean that all major scenic spots within the province will be easily accessible within three years.
It is hoped that the boom in tourism will help boost employment and alleviate poverty in the region. Over 30, 000 jobs are expected to be created each year during Twelfth Five-Year period (2011-2015) and about two million people will be lifted from poverty through the development of tourism.
The provincial government will inject 20 billion yuan ($ 3.05 billion) to boost tourism this year. Hebei is expected to receive 170 million visitors from home and abroad, bringing in tourism revenues of over 100 billion yuan ($ 15.23 billion) this year.
By Guo Changdong and Chen Keyu |
