BEIJING – Zhang Gu, director of Sichuan Tourism Bureau, has predicted that direct economic losses in the tourism sector caused by the devastating earthquake in the region are estimated to exceed US$7 billion.
As of May 18, the death toll of tourists due to the earthquake was 59; the number of tourists in Sichuan who have been evacuated was more than 7,500 including 2,264 overseas tourists.
A total of 1,140 international tourists have returned to Chengdu or to their departure location.Some 87 domestic tourists are still unaccounted for.
As a result of the earthquake, several scenic attractions and historic buildings in the disaster areas have been badly damaged.
These include the Erwang Temple and the Qing Dynasty Torii of Libai’s former residence.
