Ocean cruises and Formula One are tipped to become the city's two hot tourism areas in the coming years, said Yao Mingbao, director of the Shanghai Tourism Administrative Commission.

For the first half of this year, the registered number of international cruise liners has already reached nearly 30.

That figure is expected to rise to over 50 ships in the coming year, said Shen Huixun, an official with the International Passenger Office of the Shanghai Port Authority.

In March, eight or nine international luxury yachts are expected to dock in Shanghai, added Shen.

To meet increasing demand, the city has embarked upon the mammoth Shanghai Harbor International Passenger Terminal Centre, located on the city's Huangpu River, at a cost of 3.2 billion yuan (US$387.4 million).

The terminal, which will be completed in 2005 and form the city's "Gateway to the World," will cover 146,000 square meters of Shanghai's famous river artery and open an 850-metre stretch of coastline to international liners and luxury yachts, according to the local port authorities.

Only around a dozen international liners visited Shanghai in 2001, but that number surged to nearly 30 last year, including Asia's largest cruise ship -- SuperStar Leo.

Sources with the Shanghai China International Travel Co Ltd report that SuperStar Leo is expected to make four visits to Shanghai this year.

The world-class luxury cruise ship is scheduled to make its first visit to the city in April, sailing from Hong Kong (April 24) to Shanghai (April 26), said Hu Yuguang, a publicity manager with the company.

Local tourists will board the super liner in Hong Kong for the three-day trip, said Hu.

Another super liner, the Regal Princess from the United States, is also expected to arrive in Shanghai in April, Hu revealed.

The travel agency has asked the port authorities to invite 16 international ocean liners, carrying overseas tourists, to visit Shanghai, Hu added.

(China Daily March 12, 2003)