Thursday is the 28th World Tourism Day, and the theme this year is Tourism Opens Doors for Women. The Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region is the main venue in China and is ready to celebrate.  Lv Yan from Xinjiang Television reports.

Reporter:"I'm standing in Nanhu Square, in the capital Urumqi. XJ people are welcoming friends from all over the world for World Tourism Day." 

The "Fascinating Xinjiang" circuit of the Tianshan Mountains and the Silk Road Auto Touring and Independent Travel Group are also getting off to a start. And the two sub-venues, the noted scenic spots, Kanas and Tianchi, have prepared a variety of activities.   

Carmer Molina [ Official World Tourism Organization] " XJ is a very important growing area within China, and specially because its link to the Silk Road which ties many countries. I think it is very important and I am happy to attend the cerebration for world tourism day, is now in XJ. I hope I could get to see more of your city and your region."

The World Tourism Organization designated September 27th as World Tourism Day back in 1979.  China joined the WTO in 1983. And since 1985, China has marked occasion in either a provincial capital or popular tourism city.   

Chi Chongqing [ Party Sec'y Xinjiang Tourism Admin] "This activity is a good opportunity to show the prosperity and stability of Xinjiang, as well as the peaceful and happy life of its people. It's also an important platform to introduce and promote tourism in Xinjiang. This will allow people from all over the world to know Xinjiang better."

Recent statistics reflect the rapid development of the tourism industry here. From 2002 to 2006, Xinjiang received over 63.4702 million individual visits from Chinese and 1.4562 foreign tourists. Those are respectively 81.08% and 28.64% more over the previous 5-year period.  Revenue reached 59.975 billion yuan.And with Xinjiang's growing popularity as a tourist destination, the journey is just beginning.