After more than 10 years of development, the annual Shanghai Tourism Festival is enjoying growing international popularity, Deputy Shanghai Mayor Zhou Muyao said Wednesday.

Speaking at a work conference on the municipality's tourism, Zhou said the planned Shanghai Tourism Festival in 2002 has received letters from eager participants from tourist agencies and firms in many countries and regions.

So far, government institutions and enterprises from 10 countries and regions, including Australia, France, Greece, Brazil and Japan, have registered for the opening ceremony's big parade and float competition.

Scheduled for September, the tourism festival this year features musical fireworks presented by artists from the Netherlands, Spain and Canada, street dancing by artists both from China and overseas and local residents as well as displays of the unique local culture.

( China Daily June 6, 2002)