Officials said that the rise in numbers of tourists, including international ones to the City during the economic downturn here and around the world was impressive. Especially, the massive earthquakes and tsunami in Japan had remarkably reduced the number of tourists f-rom the market.

According to assessments, the City and local travel agents have been trying to maintain the quality of tourist products and services and to cre-ate some more attractive tourist products.

Local authorities also paid much attention to the City’s environment and culture by educating local people to cultural norms and conducts and calling on people to give up smoking in the tourist City.