Beijing , April 15 (QNA) – China’s tourism revenues for the first quarter of 2012 were $102 billion, Chinese officials said Sunday. The figure represents a 23% increase compared to 2011.

‘China Daily’ newspaper has quoted thet Head of the National Tourism Administration Shao Qiwei as saying that domestic tourist made 875 million trips in the first quarter alone, an increase of 15.1% year-on-year.

He stressed that the tourism industry has been playing an increasingly important role in stimulating domestic demand and generating jobs. He said that the high standard of living, China’s GDP per Capita is currently $5000 a year, helped the touristic sectors boom as well. Tourism accounts for 9.4% of the total consumption of Chinese people.