Tibet Visitors Hit 4 Million in 2007
Tibet received a perfectly rounded four million domestic and international visitors (the latter totalling 365,000) in 2007, according to figures released by the Tibet Tourism Bureau. This represents a year-on-year increase of more than 60 per cent. Total tourism revenues grew 75 per cent, to USD668m, or 14 per cent of Tibet's GDP. The Bureau said it is expecting five million visitors this year.
 

Banyan Tree Plants Seed in Dunhuang
Singapore-based Banyan Tree Holdings has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop and operate a resort at Dunhuang county, Gansu province. The initial phase of the 31-hectare resort will comprise a Banyan Tree resort and an Angsana-branded resort. Later phases will add up to three more resorts. Dunhuang is famed for its sand dunes and desert scenery, and the UNESCO-listed Mogao Grottoes.

Air China Plans Flights Despite Weather Chaos
Despite ongoing airport chaos – with delays yesterday of 10 hours or more – throughout China, caused by heavy snow nationwide, Air China has  announced plans to add 2,025 extra charter flights during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday. It plans to add 2,025 flights during China's most important annual holiday, from 23 January to 2 March. The new flights will primarily focus on destinations in southern and western China, with some additional flights to international destinations, such as Phuket, Siem Reap and Penang. The airline did not say whether the poor weather conditions will impact these expansion plans. 

3G Operator Licenses Awarded
The Ministry of Information Technology has awarded six companies with a license to operate 3G network services in China. ZTE, Hisense, New Postcom, Lenovo and Korea's Samsung and LG all gained the rights to provide 3G services in cooperation with China Mobile. The 3G mobile communication services are planned to be ready for operation before the Beijing Olympics.

Guizhou Electricity Shortage Continues
Guizhou Province has declared a high-level emergency, as most areas remain without electricity after the power network was severely damaged during recent snowstorms. State media reports that a total of 3,895 electricity lines have been damaged and services at 472 power plants in the province have been interrupted. Power supply capacity in the province was reduced by half, to 3.06 million kilowatts, after key power plants suspended operations.

China Automakers Target 10 Million Cars in 2008
Carmakers in China produced 9.04 million vehicles in 2007, up 22.9 per cent on 2006, according to the National Development and Reform Commission. The figure includes 4.95 million passenger vehicles, up 25 per cent year on year. The NDRC predicts that total auto output will top 10 million units this year.

Cathay Raises Flight Surcharges
Cathay Pacific Airways will raise ticket surcharges for short and long-distance flights, following similar moves by mainland Chinese carriers, state media reports. The extra costs will increase to HKD123 (from HKD113) and HKD508 (from HKD466), respectively. Hong Kong's largest airline said that higher fuel prices forced it to pass on costs to customers. Cathay has already raised surcharges three times since last summer.

RMB450bn For New Airports
China intends to invest RMB450bn over the next 12 years to expand its civil airport network, state media reports. By 2020, China aims to have 244 airports, up from 97 in 2006, the General Administration of Civil Aviation said in a statement. Problems to be tackled alongside this growth are a lack of professional pilots and technicians, limited air space and poor airport services and infrastructure.

Last update : Sunday, 03 February 2008

Keywords : Tibet, Banyan, Dunhuang, Air China, Cathay, 3G, ZTE, Hisense, New Postcom, Lenovo, Samsung, LG, Airports

Average user rating

   (0 vote)