On 12 September, the opening ceremony of Shanghai Tourism Festival 2009 & the opening celebration of Shanghai Happy Valley was held in Shanghai.

The opening ceremony of Shanghai Tourism Festival 2009 & the opening celebration of Shanghai Happy Valley was held in Shanghai.

Yu Zhengsheng, member of Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of Shanghai Municipal Party Committee, Shao Qiwei, Chairman of China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), Han Zheng, Mayor of Shanghai, and Zhao Wen, Deputy Mayor of Shanghai attended the opening ceremony.

Shao Qiwei, on behalf of CNTA, expressed cordial congratulations in his speech on the opening of Shanghai Tourism Festival and Shanghai Happy Valley. He said that Shanghai Tourism Festival had been successfully held for almost 20 years, and developed into an important carrier of urban tourism and a reputed brand for festival tourism. Expo 2010 to be held next year in Shanghai would not only provide a stage to showcase the achievements of human civilization but also create an opportunity for the development of China’s tourism industry. Shanghai Tourism Festival not only provided a golden opportunity to show the image of Shanghai, but also served as a good chance for the rehearsal of Expo tour, which would further improve the international fame of Shanghai and helped domestic and international visitors experience the charm and happiness of Shanghai.

After the opening ceremony, a great parade for the opening of the Tourism Festival was organized along the Huaihai Road. Scores of thousands of visitors from home and abroad witnessed on the site. In more than 20 days following the opening of the Tourism Festival, wonderful activities will be put on, including Flower Carriage Parade Contest, Shanghai International Music Fireworks Festival, Colorful Boats Parade on Huangpu River, Happiness Festival on North Sichuan Road, Happiness Week on Nanjing Road, and Shanghai Tourism Gourmet Festival.

Source: National Tourism Administration

Editor: Xie Fang