The four-day World Travel Fair opens on Thursday in east China's metropolis of Shanghai, attracting nearly 500 exhibitors from 50 countries and regions.

Exhibitors from famous tourist destinations, such as Japan, Malaysia and the Republic of Korea, are attending the fair, according to an organizer of the fair.

The exhibition also attracts delegations from the Middle East countries such as Israel, Iran and the United Arab Emirates, which make their debut at the fair this year, the organizer said.

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