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.
