Tourism revenue of quake-hit province up 20% in 2008

XI'AN, Jan. 27 (Chinese media) -- Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, one of the worst-hit provinces in the massive earthquake last year, recorded tourism revenue of 60.7 billion yuan (8.9 billion U.S. dollars) in 2008, up 20 percent year-on-year despite the affects last winter's harsh winter, the earthquake and the global financial crisis.

More than 90 million domestic travelers visited Shaanxi last year, up 13 percent year on year. The revenue from domestic tourism was 56.1 billion yuan, up 22.5 percent than the previous year, according to the provincial tourism bureau.

More than 1.25 million foreign tourists visited the province last year. The number of foreign tourists increased 2.1 percent from 2007's figure. The revenue was 660 million U.S. dollars, up 8percent than the previous year.

The province has held tourism promotions in 15 countries and regions in 2008, including Australia, the U.S., U.K., Germany and Japan.