Ahmed Latheef, ambassador of the Maldives to China (R), Georgi Peychinov, Blugaria's ambassador to China (M), and Vincent Sivas, first secretary of embassy of the Federated States of Micronesia (L), participate in a group discussion at the 2008 Boao International Tourism Forum in South China's Hainan Province on December 19, 2008. [Photo: Yang Jingtao]

The annual Boao International Tourism Forum opened in South China's Hainan Province on December 19, bringing together professionals to discuss responses to the economic downturn facing China's tourism industry and the promotion of new travel destinations.

Although the outlook for the industry is not optimistic, officials from different tourism administrations throughout the country agreed that opportunities co-exist with threats.

Xiao Lingzhi, Vice Mayor of Zhangjiajie in Hunan Province, said his city has introduced measures to boost tourism, such as free entry to world cultural heritage sites.

Municipal tourism administrations have been hosting various cultural and tourism conferences and festivals to stimulate the pinched industry. For example, Zengcheng City in South China's Guangdong Province, will hold the First China Self-Drive Leisure Festival on December 31 to attract more visitors.

Although the domestic tourism industry is having a tough time, those involved in intrnational travel say it is a perfect time for the Chinese to travel overseas, because of the appreciation of the Chinese currency.

Ahmed Latheef, the Maldives' ambassador to China, said because of the small number of tourists on the islands, the Maldives has hardly felt the effects of the global financial turmoil. He added that the country planned to build more hotels in the next two to three years to host more travelers.

Georgi Peychinov, Bulgaria's ambassador to China, noted that the Chinese are experiencing their first peak of overeas travel. He said while popular destinations such as Hollywood, London and New York, are on their priority list, his country could benefit from sidetrips to Europe.

Vincent Sivas, th first secretary of the embassy of the Federated States of Micronesia, said some Chinese tourists are now selecting more luxurious and secluded holiday destinations such as his country.