Mr Wang Guoping, Secretary of CPC Hangzhou Municipal Committee, came across a tour group from Singapore in Xixi Wetland while he was doing a survey on Hangzhou tourism on April 9.

He learnt that the total 20 Singaporean tourists stayed one more day in Hangzhou due to the released tourism vouchers, which means, 20 million yuan tourism revenue can be added if each of the 2,000 Hangzhou tourist guides persuades a tour group of 20 tourists to stay one more night and spend on average 500 yuan in Hangzhou.

Mr Wang highlighted that the tourism voucher is only of small value however, it may play a big role in stimulating the tourism business.

In the first quarter of 2009, tourism in Hangzhou boomed in spite of the global financial crisis.

444,000 overseas tourists were received, 0.1% more than the same period last year; total 11,225,600 domestic tourists were received, an increase of 8.4%; the tourism revenue reached 15.989 billion yuan, up 12.1%.

Mr. Wang said that the tourism vouchers can't solve all the problems but it does play a key role in improving the economy in Hangzhou, especially in attracting tourists to come and visit Hangzhou.

87.64% of the tourists were likely to apply for more tourism vouchers, according to a survey done by the government.

The second batch of tourism vouchers valued at total 100 million yuan of 500,000 packages will be issued on April 20 and is valid till the end of the year.

The par value of each package increases from 100 yuan to 200 yuan consisting of six 10-yuan vouchers, two 20-yuan vouchers and two 50-yuan vouchers.

A map of relevant shops and restaurants will be attached with each package.