Hangzhou plans to give away 40 million yuan ($5.86 million) worth of free tourism vouchers to attract more visitors during the World Expo 2010, after last year's success with coupons.
Of the estimated 70 million visitors to the Expo in Shanghai, "70 percent will tour other cities in the Yangtze River Delta area," Wang Xinzhang, deputy director of the Hangzhou Tourism Commission, said Wednesday at a news conference in Hangzhou, quoting figures from a survey.
"Of those who will visit, 70 percent will choose Hangzhou as their top destination," Wang added. Besides Shanghai and Hangzhou, the delta area also includes Suzhou, Wuxi and other scenic cities.
About 100,000 sets of coupons will be delivered, and each set is valued at 400 yuan, with 120 yuan designated for eight major attractions in the urban area and 280 yuan for 21 sites in suburban areas.
Most will be distributed at the Hangzhou Pavilion at the World Expo. Each Expo ticket will be good for one set of coupons.
The coupons are valid from May 1 through Nov 30, which is a month longer than the Expo.
The announcement came after Hangzhou's successful initiative last year to boost consumption with free coupons, in response to the global economic downturn.
"Hangzhou was the first city in China to give away coupons last year, and the number of coupons delivered was the highest," Wang said at the news conference.
The latest discount offers are unprecedented as high as 50 percent off. Last year's cap was 25 percent. All major attractions in the city have been included.
The coupon set also includes a Ctrip travel card, which offers discounts for air tickets, hotels and restaurants in the city.
