Sars-Free Asia Goes All Out to Woo Tourists Back

THE lifting of the last of the World Health Organisation's Sars travel warnings in Asia is igniting a frenzy of celebrations and activities to lure tourists and businessmen back.

In fact, jubilation seems to be spreading as fast as the killer virus once did.

In Shanghai tomorrow, thousands of balloons will be released at a bash by the Bund on the Huangpu River.

Miss Connie Cheng of the Shanghai Tourism Administration said at least 2,000 people are expected, including foreign businessmen.

All are being encouraged to wear yellow ribbons, taking a note from the old American song. 'The yellow ribbon says that we welcome you back,' said Miss Cheng.

The WHO declared all of China Sars-free on Tuesday, prompting a statement from the China National Tourism Association: 'This is a vote of confidence in our war on Sars and an important starting point for the recovery of China's tourism sector.'

Beijing, which was declared Sars-free on Tuesday, started by taking aim at its own residents. It launched a campaign yesterday called Beijingers Tour Beijing.

In Hong Kong, which was given a clean bill of health on Monday, Liverpool Football Club will play an exhibition match next month to show the world that World Cup stars such as Michael Owen are no longer afraid to set foot there.

Even in Taipei, which has had its travel advisory lifted but remains listed as Sars- affected, beer flowed free-of-charge on Friday. Thousands poured into the streets to drink, despite gloomy weather.

But not everyone is jumping for joy. Asia's tourism officials and travel agents wonder whether the rest of the world is listening as closely to the dropping of the WHO travel advisories as it did when the black flags went up.

Thus, a lot of action is already in the works, as well as celebrating.

The USA Today newspaper summed it up in an inviting headline on Friday: Asia Goes On Sale.

China, Hong Kong and Taiwan have announced so many travel offers that even travel agents are having trouble keeping track of them all.

For instance, Shanghai, which saw hotel occupancy rates plummet to below 10 per cent in April from as high as 90 per cent, is offering discounts at restaurants, shops and hotels as part of a month-long Rainbow Campaign.

As a result, Mr Dominic Bauquis, managing director of public relations company B&B International, said that hotel occupancy has risen to about 30 per cent in Shanghai and near 25 per cent in Beijing this month.

'Domestic travel is on the move again, but I don't think it has returned to normal,' he said. He also thinks international tourists will continue to stay away for now.

Hong Kong has a post-Sars war chest of HK$1 billion (S$225 million). Public service television commercials there urge viewers to get out and spend again.

Mr Joseph Tung, executive director of the Travel Industry Council, said: 'Inbound travel is improving, with more business travellers coming back to Hong Kong. We expect a strong revival in leisure travel next month.'

Taiwan is banking NT$200 million (S$10.1 million) on the Revive Taiwan Tourism programme to do just that.

'It aims to bring back lost visitors and spur spending in three months,' said tourism bureau director Mr Su Chen-tien.

However, Mr Sean Chuang, chairman of Taipei's International Tourist Hotels Association, tempered the jubilation.

'Foreign visitors may not regain confidence in visiting here,' he said. 'It will take some time for Taiwan to stand on its feet again tourism-wise.' -- With additional reporting by Jason Leow in Beijing, Mary Kwang in Hong Kong, and Lawrence Chung in Taipei

Cheers!

• SHANGHAI: Thousands of balloons will be released at a bash by the Bund on the Huangpu River tomorrow

• BEIJING: It launched a campaign yesterday called Beijingers Tour Beijing

• HONG KONG: The Liverpool Football Club will play an exhibition match next month, to show the world that World Cup stars such as Michael Owen are no longer afraid to set foot there

• TAIPEI: Beer flowed free-of-charge last Friday