Individuals and groups are not allowed to enter undeveloped "tourism resources" unless they register with local tourism authorities, according to China's first regulation on protecting tourism resources.

China's National Tourism Bureau yesterday published the regulation to enhance the protection of tourism resources and the biological environment.

The regulation defines "tourism resources" as natural resources and social resources that can attract tourists and can be developed by the tourism industry to generate financial, social and ecological benefits.

The resources include natural and cultural heritage sites, forests, factories, farmlands, parks, wetlands and oceans.

Those who plan to conduct scientific research, or play sports in undeveloped tourism resources must inform local tourism departments of their activities, number of participants, time and contact information, the regulation said.

The regulation also requires resource operators to set up an upper limit for the number of tourists allowed to visit and inform tourists in time in case over-crowding damages the environment.

The operators should map out measures to secure tourists' safety, especially in peak periods, the regulation said.

Local governments should arrange a group of tourism experts who can offer consultations, suggestions and opinions on the protection of tourism resources, the regulation said.

These experts should also hand in a report that covers the protection situation to local authorities every five years, the regulation said.

The regulation was issued ahead of China's weeklong National Day holiday, which runs from October 1 to October 7.

Scenic spots across China are expected to be flooded with crowds during the golden week, which will challenge the operators' ability to handle emergencies.

During the weeklong May holiday from May 1 to 7 this year, almost 179 million people in China took a trip, a year-on-year increase of 22.7 percent.

(Shanghai Daily September 7, 2007)