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Staff members dressed in traditional costumes of Thailand pose for photos in China International Travel Mart 2011 in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Oct. 27, 2011. The mart has more than 2,000 booths and attracts travel agencies all over the world. Photo: Xinhua

The 2011 China International Travel Mart (CITM) opened in Kunming, capital city of China's Yunnan province on Thursday. The event is taking place on a scale larger than ever before, with an increased amount of visitors, according to the local news website Yunnan.cn.

In its 13th year, the CITM has attracted exhibitors from 46 countries including the United States, Russia, Japan and South Korea. During the 4-day event, delegations from the travel industry will take part in trade negotiations and professional forums and will have the chance to showcase their products to visiting audiences.

As one of the highlights of this year's CITM, a meeting has been arranged for overseas travel agencies and tourism officials to meet with their Chinese counterparts. Man Hongwei, from the China National Tourism Administration says that CITM plays an essential role in promoting tourism communication between China and the world.

As part of the organizing committee, the local government of Yunnan province has also gone to great efforts to present the diversified tourism resources of the province. The exhibition section, covering some 3,000 square meters, boasts locally produced jewelry, flower essential oils, tea and many other handicrafts with an ethnic flavor.

From the 27 to the 28 of October the exhibition will welcome businessmen and women from the tourism industry. The exhibition is open to the public from October 29 to 30.