Direct economic losses in the Sichuan tourism sector caused by the earthquake are estimated to exceed RMB50 billion, or US$7.2 billion.

This is equivalent to nearly half of the province's 2007 tourism revenue of RMB121.7 billion (US$17.5 billion).

PATA's China Director Kate Chang and VISA International's Li Sheng and Vivian Jia arrived in the Sichuan provincial capital of Chengdu today to offer condolences following the tragic earthquake and to gain a first-hand assessment of the impact on Sichuan's tourism industry.

They met with the Chengdu Culture and Tourism Development Group Chairman Mr Yin Jianhua and his colleagues.

Tomorrow they will meet with Sichuan Tourism Bureau Director Zhang Gu and Chengdu Tourism Bureau Director General Mr Deng Gongli.

Ms Chang said that while there was widespread damage across the province, the capital city of Chengdu had been largely unaffected.

As reported in the trade media, the death toll of tourists due to the May 12 earthquake was 59; the number of evacuated tourists was 7,543, including 2,264 foreigners; and there were 87 domestic tourists unaccounted for.

In the talks with government and industry leaders, PATA explored ways to assist with Sichuan's tourism recovery plans, once the immediate rescue and humanitarian relief efforts are completed.

For updates on how PATA members are affected and what they are doing to assist relief efforts in Myanmar and Sichuan, please visit PATA News Extra.

www.PATA.org/newsextra