The fast development of China's transport infrastructure
provides guaranteed and convenient transportation for overseas and
domestic tourists. Throughout China a great many hotels and
restaurants have been constructed, renovated or expanded to satisfy
all levels of requirement, and there are now more than 10,000
hotels with star ratings. All large or medium-sized cities and
scenic spots have hotels with complete facilities and services for
both domestic and international visitors.
China has about 1,400 international travel agencies, over 250 of
them in Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin and Chongqing. In June, 2003,
the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) and the Ministry
of Commerce put forth a joint Interim Regulations on the
Establishment of Foreign-Holding or Foreign-Funded Travel Agencies.
On July 18, 2003, the China National Travel Administration approved
the registration of the JALPAK International China Co. Ltd. as the
first foreign-funded travel company to enter China's tourist
market. The company has started operations in Beijing, mainly
handling the travel business of Japanese tourists in China. On
December 1, 2003, the first overseas-controlled joint venture in
China's tourism industry -- TUI China Travel Company -- was
formally established in Beijing. The holding party is the largest
European travel group TUI and Martin Buese China Limited. Their
Chinese partner is China Travel Service that has a network of over
300 local offices.??
