Travel agencies in Shanghai are planning to rearrange international travel routes to ensure the safety of tourists, and avoid dangerous destination countries.

The national Tourism Administration recently issued a circular warning travel agencies not to organize package tours to dangerous areas, such as those under frequent terrorist attack. The circular didn't name any specific countries, however.

Senior executives from local agencies said that although they hadn't received the circular, they have been informed about it, and are planning new routes.

Lu zhenxi, deputy general manager of Jin Jiang Travel, said that package tours to Middle Eastern countries, such as Egypt might be canceled, but "we'll announce the specific changes, after we get the circular."Ctrip.com International had already canceled a package tour to Egypt during the weeklong National Day holiday in October, according to He Jing, the company's marketing manager.

As physical attacks on Chinese tourists in some countries have been reported recently, the National Tourism Administration asks travel agencies to set up an emergency plan, and hold information sessions for tourists before setting off.

(Shanghai Daily August 24, 2005))