The Shanghai World Travel Fair 2006 will open at the Shanghai Exhibition Center tomorrow, with tourism organizations from more than 50 countries and regions taking part.

The annual event will run until April 2.

The World Travel Fair is the business-to-business and business-to-consumer travel platform set up to inform the public about the latest travel trends and new destinations.

Also during the four-day event, more than 480 travel agencies from around the world hope to explore new business opportunities, and generate new sales leads.

Several countries, such as Kenya and Jamaica, have chosen the Shanghai travel fair as their first stop in the Chinese market. The Asia group also has many newcomers such as Nepal and Sri Lanka. Canada will set the event's biggest display platform covering more than 700 square meters.

"We are very optimistic about Shanghai's tourism market, as many international corporations are focusing on China," said Shi Tiehua, the fair's assistant director.

The first two days of the fair will include discussions between Chinese and overseas travel agencies about market opportunities and information exchange.

The second two days of the fair will allow foreign exhibitors to show off their country's culture. Daily performances will be held on the center's stage.

In addition, exhibitors will also have special travel deals during the event, and holiday makers can book their trips on site, generally at a discount. The host also encourages the public to collect fair vouchers, which will be taken as travel discounts during their trips booked at the Shanghai World Fair.

The event will run from 9am to 5pm, except for the last day (April 2), which will end at 4pm.

Tickets cost 20 yuan (US$2.40) each and will be sold at the gates outside the Shanghai Exhibition Center.

Last year, 5.7 million foreigners traveled to the city. About 3.9 million locals took trips abroad.

(Shanghai Daily March 30, 2006)