The latest statistics from the provincial tourism bureau in Guangdong province, south China, indicate that the number of Guangdong residents who traveled abroad in 2002 exceeded 1.4 million, accounting for half of the national total.

For residents of Guangzhou, the provincial capital, travel has become one of life's necessities, along with clothing, food and transportation.

The average annual spending on tourism for local urban households in the province has reached 1,260 yuan (about US$151.81), said a local official.

Out of 528 travel agencies authorized by the Chinese National Tourism Administration to organize out-bound tours, 99 are from Guangdong.

Guangdong province, which borders Hong Kong and Macao, has been assigned to lead China's reform and opening-up drive. It has become a leading export-processing base and one of the country's economic powerhouses.

(Xinhua News Agency January 4, 2003)