SHANGHAI - CITM 2006 kicked off last night with the opening ceremony and welcome dinner reception hosted by China National Tourism Administration.

In the dinner reception, officials cited that tourism has an important role in the growth of China’s economy and, at the same time, it also links Chinese economy to that of the world’s.

China’s attraction as an inbound destination and outbound potential have attracted to CITM 2006 almost 1,200 overseas buyers, including those from Hong SAR, Macau SAR and the Province of Taiwan.

Asia’s largest travel mart has attracted over 4,100 domestic and overseas exhibitors occupying 2,306 booths.

Overseas exhibitors represent a total of 91 countries and regions, 10 of which are first-time participants.