"Although I have been to Shanghai, I am looking forward to going there another time. Because this time, I cannot only visit the interesting pavilions, but also take the chance to see changes in Shanghai," the Frenchman said, clutching many brochures on China.
"Products about the Shanghai Expo are our major sellers this year. We have already had bookings on that," said Clemence Bloc, product seller for a French travel agency that specializes in promoting tourist products on China.
Many tourism agencies aim to profit from the Shanghai Expo to make up for the losses they suffered during the economic downturn last year.
According to the UN World Tourism Organization, China has ranked among the world's top international tourism destinations as well as a source country.
The annual International Tourism Show in Paris is among the leading professional exhibitions around the world.
Over 500 hundred travel agencies, managers of leisure centers, transport companies and municipal promoters representing different regions from across the world are attending the four-day event. This year's tourism show is expected to attract at least 100,000 visitors.
Special Report: World Expo Shanghai 2010
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Int'l Tourism Show kicks off in Paris
PARIS, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Weeks before a flowery spring, the 2010 International Tourism Show in Paris opened on Thursday, presenting a colorful showcase of hundreds of tourism professionals in France and abroad.
Many exhibitors and professional visitors expressed their hope for a prosperous new year after the economic crisis impacted 2009. Full story
