China to participate in Baikal Harbour tourist zone construction.

9/6 Tass 90

ULAN-UDE, June 9 (Itar-Tass) - About 50 tourist companies from China's
Manzhouli, Beijing, Shanghai, Sanya, Dalian, Harbin take part in the
Development of Bilateral Tourist Relations between Ulan-Ude and Manzhouli
round table in the framework of the Days of the Economy and Culture of
Manzhouli in Ulan-Ude. Chinese investors and construction businesses also
take part in the event.
The Mayor of Ulan-Ude /the capital of Buryatia/ and the Mayor of
Manzhouli signed a protocol and an action plan for the cooperation over
2010.
"Tourism is a priority of the bilateral relations," the document said.
The Chinese side is specifically interested in the Baikal Harbour
tourist zone in Buryatia. China's businesses intend to take an active part
in the construction there and suggest having a direct flight to connect
Ulan-Ude and Manzhouli.
"The participants in the round table will tour the republic and visit
the Ivolginsky datsan /monastery/ where Old Believers live and the Baikal
Lake," the press service of Ulan-Ude's administration said.
Days of the economy and culture of China's Manzhouli were opened on
Tuesday in the capital of Buryatia. A three-day programme includes
business meetings, round tables on tourism, and a fair, the press service
of Ulan-Ude mayor's office said.
China is represented by almost 280 delegates, mostly entrepreneurs.
Manzhouli is China's closest city to Buryatia. A cooperation agreement
between Ulan-Ude and Manzhouli was signed 17 years ago. Officials from the
twin cities meet up regularly. The Days of Ulan-Ude in Manzhouli were very
successful in 2008. Manzhouli is one of the main sources of import for
Buryatia's businesses. They import clothing, machinery, equipment and
construction materials.
The interest of China's tourist companies may be explained by the
interest to the oldest and deepest lake in the world, Baikal. Buryatia is
situated on the eastern coast of the lake. The number of tourists to
Buryatia has been growing since 1995. Over 2006-2006 the tourist industry
was booming, and the number of tourists grew up by 86 percent reaching
300,000 a year. The Baikal Harbour Zone will be able to host up to two
million tourists a year.

-0-kar/gor


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