Big-scale outbound tourism groups have developed rapidly in China in recent years, becoming a new spotlight in China's outbound tourism market.

The China International Travel Service (CITS) organized 1500 travelers to Europe in June. In October, CITS organized another 7000 visitors to Thailand.

Big-scale groups pose higher challenges for hosting abilities such as transportation and accommodation, which signified China's remarkable progress of China's travel agencies, said sources from the on-going China International Travel Fair held in Kunming, capital of the south China's Yunnan Province.

CITS president Zhang Jianhua said the successful hosting of the big scale group not only wins honors for China's travel agencies, but also provides precious experience for local tourism operators.

(Xinhua News Agency November 26, 2005)