Shanghai set for huge tourism gala By Tian Xiuzhen (China Daily) Updated: 2004-07-20 08:30
SHANGHAI: Preparations are well under way for a huge tourism gala expected to
attract swarms of visitors from home and abroad.
"We are sure to make the city the safest and most pleasant destination for
tourists from around the world," said Yao Mingbao, director of the Shanghai
Municipal Tourism Administrative Commission.
"Every government organ involved is expected to make a contribution to the
success of the event," he said.
The three-week-long 15th Shanghai Tourism Festival will be held between
September 18 and October 6 - during the golden autumn. It is expected to be
forged into "a festival of the world" and "a festival of the public."
A ticket centre will be set up to enable visitors to purchase admission
tickets to all festivities to be staged in the city.
To make the festival a true world-class affair, designers from
internationally famous carnivals have been invited to help plan this year's
event, he added.
The Shanghai Promethean/Kern Tourism and Culture Development Co Ltd, a joint
venture set up last year by Kern Studios - designers of the famous Mardi Gras in
New Orleans, the United States - and enterprises in Shanghai, are participating
in planning and organizing major events for the event.
According to the schedule, the city will showcase a series of festivities to
enhance the city's fame.
On the opening night, a float parade composed of 22 floats, 16 of which come
from outside Shanghai, will linger along Huaihai Road, a major thoroughfare of
the city.
A wind band from the Rose Festival in the United States, a Jazz band from
"Mardi Gras" in New Orleans, and wind bands from other countries such as France
and Japan will take part in the pageant.
The float parade will tour around the city and a competition will be held
with prizes for the top float.
A carnival will also be held on the pedestrian section of Nanjing Road that
night with a host of famous singers and dancers dotting the entire block.
As a traditional programme, the international music fireworks festival will
continue in the Century Park in Pudong and masters from Switzerland, Britain,
Japan and Argentina will present a fireworks show.
Jinmao Tower will host a second skydiving show with 36 participants from more
than 30 countries and regions such as the United States and Norway. Some jumpers
are expected to fall with their trailing smoke.
From September 25 to October 5, scores of brightly dressed yachts will parade
on the Huangpu River, staging a variety of performances aboard.
"The finals of the world top-class model contest are to be held in the city
for the first time during the period," said Yao. "The 80 participating models
will attract the eyes of the world to the city."
Traditional programmes such as souvenir expositions, rose weddings, travel to
factories and farms will also be part of the festivities.
Restaurants and department stores are urged to provide quality and reliable
services while traffic regulators are called on to smooth travelling.
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