QINGDAO’S tourism industry is expected to achieve total income of 58 billion yuan this year, a year-on-year 18 percent increase.

    The number of foreign tourists visiting Qingdao is estimated to reach 1.1 million, 10 percent growth over last year. The city’s foreign exchange earnings from the tourism industry are expected to reach US$600 million this year, 8 percent higher than a year ago, while earnings from domestic tourists will reach 54 billion yuan, 19 percent higher than last year.

    Qingdao will enhance the construction of 58 tourism projects worth around 86.1 billion yuan next year, including holiday resorts, hotels, and entertainment facilities.

    The city will also accelerate the development and construction of seven holiday resorts, including Shilaoren, Fenghuang Island, Langyatai, Tianheng Island, Lingshan Bay, Aoshan Hotspring and Yangkou. The city will enhance the construction of religious tour sites like the second stage of Puti Temple on Lingzhu Mountain while striving to turn 100 villages into tourism sites with different features. (Li Hao, Fu Jun)