SHANGHAI - The volume of buyers and the transactions made on the floor of the China International Travel Mart (CITM) 2008, which kicked off today, will serve as a benchmark of the renewed tourism interest in China following its successful hosting of Olympic Games 2008 last summer. At the same time, the figures would also serve as a good indicator of China tourism industry’s state of health in the current period of global economic crisis.

"In the first nine months this year, inbound tourism began to slide down. The global financial crisis has an impact on China inbound tourism, CNTA is now watching closely on the impact development, and will react accordingly. CITM 2008’s success is very important and meaningful at this moment,” CNTA Director General, Marketing & Communications Department, Zhu Shanzhong, said at a press conference held yesterday.

He cited that during the same period, outbound tourism posted an average growth rate of almost 15 percent.

CITM 2008 is expecting 4,112 exhibitors from 106 countries and regions and over 1,300 overseas buyers. It will run through November 25.