India and China to promote 2007 as 'Year of Tourism'

Chandigarh, Dec 11: To further improve Sino-India friendship, both the countries have decided to celebrate the coming year as the 'Year of Tourism', Chinese Ambassador Sun Yuxi said here today.

''For the promotion of tourism, we will hold exhibitions, food festivals and cultural exchanges between the two countries. We will also increase number of flights and improve tourism infrastrucure'', said Mr Sun who was here to inaugurate the Snowland Photographic Exhibition on Tibet.

The exhibition showcases nearly 350 masterpieces of 100 world renowned photographers, hailing from 19 countries including USA, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and China.

The photographers visited Lhasa, Xiagzu, Shannan, Nyingchi and Naggu cities to showcase the real Tibet to the world, he added.

To further increase the flow of tourists from the existing five lakh to 10 lakh, the tourism departments of both the countries are working to develop infrastructure, increase the number of travel agencies and exchange of programmes, he said.

During 2006, the ''Year of Friendship'', Mr Sun said, ''The procedures for getting visa to China have been simplified and it takes only four days to get it now''.

''In case of an emergency, it can even be made available on the spot, with a little more payment,'' he added.

UNI