Region urged to facilitate tourism

Central Asian nations should take a host of measures to attract more Chinese travelers, according to a leading figure in China's tourism industry.

Tourism authorities in four key Central Asian countries - Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan - would do well to enhance their publicity efforts and provide Chinese-language guide services if they want to see more Chinese tourists in their nation, Dai Bin, head of the China Tourism Academy, told China Daily.

"Insufficient publicity, a shortage of Chinese-speaking guides as well as complicated visa application procedures have led to Chinese tourists avoiding these nations when choosing travel destinations," he said.