The Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area plans to raise the ticket prices to cater for the high-end market, yesterday's Beijing Evening Post reported.
If the plan is approved by the tourist authority, the valley, a famous tourist zone located in the northern area of central China's Sichuan province, will have its admission fee raised to 300 to 400 yuan (US$36-48), according to the report.
Most visitors will be frightened away, of course. However, the local government, that manages the valley, doesn't expect the overall profits will slide much resulted from the decreasing tourists.
Instead, the move will help better protect the environment, one of the area's unique attractions, a local government's spokesman said.
Since more and more visitors are coming into the valley for its beautiful scenes and historic heritages, the ecological environment around the area is in serious threat, he said.
(eastday 10/25/2001)
