Chinese tourists can now travel to five new destinations -- Argentina, Venezuela, Uganda, Bangladesh and Andorra, the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) said Tuesday.

The CNTA said the five countries have gained Approved Destination Status (ADS) from the Chinese government, which means that Chinese tourist groups are allowed to visit them.

It added that China and the five countries concerned have signed requisite memorandums and finished the necessary preparations.

Travel agencies with CNTA franchise licenses are expected to work with recommended agencies in the destination countries, to launch group travel business as of January 1, 2007, according to the CNTA.

So far, 129 nations and regions have Chinese ADS status, and 89 of them receive tourist groups. More than 31 million outbound journeys were made by Chinese citizens last year, and the CNTA projects the number will top 34 million this year.

(Xinhua News Agency October 18, 2006)