Zhang Guangrui, director and research fellow of the Tourism Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, made the suggestion when speaking at a panel discussion at the two-day International Cooperation for Tourism Development Under New Paradigm conference at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.

Zhang also recommended the year 2004 be the Year of Clean Tourism in Asia with the theme of promoting the clean environment, health and ensuring safety of travel.

By clean tourism he meant that all destinations, be it a country, a region or an attraction, should offer honest, clean, hygienic, healthy, decent and morally sound activities and services to tourists.

"All business operators should offer 'clean products' with no harm to the health of visitors and conduct their business in a fair and decent way, with no cheating or traps," he explained.

"But all visitors should also be responsible for their behavior, and the purpose of their travel and holidaying should be for the common benefits of both the hosts and guests," he added.

Zhang said the campaign is needed, as in the eyes of many European and American countries, the majority of the countries in Asia are still classified as developing countries and are relatively poor and backward.

"Owing to the economic and other reasons, on the whole the image of the region is not desirable, limiting the region's tourism development," he said.

He stressed that after the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in various parts in Asia, there is a special need for Asian countries to cooperate in promoting the region as a single tourism market for mutual benefits.

"Now after SARS, for the revitalization of tourism, the building of a new image and long-term competitiveness, we are still 'on the same boat.' And we still need to help each other even more," the expert said.

(Xinhua News Agency July 14, 2003)