The Pudong New Area government yesterday became the city's first district to announce its tourism slogan - Tomorrow Land of China.

The slogan, created by the company that helped form Hong Kong's successful tourism image, tries to present an image of Pudong as innovative, modern and full of energy.

At the same time, a logo that combines the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and a rising sun was designed to symbolize the tomorrow land.

"We have decided that tourism will become an important industry for Pudong's economy," said Sun Yongqiang, deputy director of the Pudong Economic Commission.

Last year, Pudong attracted 16.5 million tourists and tourism income reached 5.7 billion yuan (US$704 million). One of six tourists in the city have visited Pudong.

According to Pudong's tourism plan in the next five years, 21 million tourists are expected to visit Pudong in 2010 and tourism income was forecast at 10 billion yuan.

The Lujiazui Financial Zone, the Huaxia Seaside Resort and the Sunqiao Agricultural Park will satisfy different tastes, Sun said.

Zhou Bin, a division chief of the commission said: "To offer convenience to tourists, we will set up more international visitor centers to provide tour information and guidance."

Along with tourism, the district's exhibition industry is also developing quickly.

The total exhibition area is expected to exceed 3 million square meters this year, increasing 30 percent from last year, officials said.

Hu Ping, an associate professor of East China Normal University, said: "International exhibitions are most wanted because they attract overseas visitors, who will bring more profits to other industries such as hotels, restaurants and stores."

(Source: www.shanghai.gov.cn )