Even though August is the most favored month for travel in China, heavy rains and geological disasters have dampened tourist interest in a number of regions.

Li Mumei, an official with the Sichuan Youth Travel Service Co, Ltd in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, told China Daily Wednesday that the company's business has suffered because of geological disasters such as mud-rock flows and landslides.

On Tuesday the Ministry of Land and Resources and the National Tourism Administration jointly issued a circular demanding tourism authorities and tourist agencies be more cognizant of potential geological disasters.

However, Li said even before the circular was issued they had been required by the company to inform all customers about possible risks. "I do not remember exactly when we were asked to do that, but it must have been in the aftermath of the fatal mud-rock flows that killed four Shanghai tourists in Danba County," she said.

The Danba geological disaster happened in the small hours of July 12, leaving 51 people dead or missing. It was one of the worst geological disasters ever in the province.

That tragedy set off warning bells among Shanghai tourists, prompting many to cancel visits to Sichuan, according to a report on www.Tom.com.

"Although tourism has rebounded in the routes to Sichuan, the margin is not big. Actually, the same situation holds true for routes to other regions prone to geological disasters, such as central China's Hunan Province," said a source with the Shanghai Chunqiu Travel Service. The circular will be worthwhile if more tourists are made aware of potential geological disasters, said Jiang Jianjun, director of Geological Environment with the Ministry of Land and Resources.

"We still believe many losses of lives and properties to geological disasters can be avoided if people are paying enough attention," said Jiang. "For example, the scenic spots should not be constructed at spots prone to geological disasters and tourist guides should not recommend and lead people to those areas."

(China Daily August 21, 2003)