9/14/2010;ChinaDaily.com

More than 1,000 organizations will attend Guangdong's international tourism fair (GITF) this month.

Singapore, Thailand and Australia will all send tourism authorities to the event, which features exhibits by airlines, travel agencies, and hotel groups such as Accor and Starwood.

Travel discounts and tickets to selected destinations will be given away during the fair.

Last year, more than 120,000 visitors bought 20,000 hotel rooms and a like number of travel agency tours that generated 1 billion yuan in international tourism revenue.

The annual event is organized by the Guangdong tourism administration, Lingnan Group and GZL international travel service. It will take place in Pazhou September 25 to 28.

GITF is part of Guangdong's international tourism and culture festival, sponsored by the World Tourism Organization, the China National Tourism Administration and the Guangdong provincial government.

New developments

A ground breaking ceremony was held for Guangdong's tourism industrial park in Xiqiao town, Foshan late last month.

The park covers 567 hectares and represents a 6 billion yuan investment by Guangdong China Travel Service Co.

Development plans include hotels and villas, an international convention center and a hot spring resort. Areas have also been designated for residential and commercial buildings.

The entire project will take nine years to complete. Phase I will begin operation in 2012 with a one billion yuan investment.

Initial development will revitalize scenic areas and build water sport facilities and a yacht club.

Future plans call for additional parks in Meizhou and Zhanjiang.

Wang Wannian, chairman of Guangdong China Travel Service Co, said he believed the projects will significantly transform Guangdong's tourism sector.

Guangzhou guidebook

Visitors to Guangzhou can now take one of 69 city tours offered by four local travel agencies.

Featured sites include Asian Games facilities and the Pearl River. Tours range from one to three days.

But for those who prefer to go it on their own, Foshan has issued a Guangzhou travel guidebook.

The book provides an introduction to the city, information on exit and entry policies and a transportation map.

It is available at Guangzhou foreign consulate and foreign affairs offices, foreign enterprises, travel agencies, hotels, and all Foshan Asian Games venues