The China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) is soliciting ideas and opinions from the public on the draft of a new provisional measure on tourism resource protection.

The measure is part of the administration's working plan for this year to achieve the sustainable development of the tourism industry, and help build a resource-saving and environment-friendly society.

According to the draft publicized on the administration's website on Monday, a national census of tourism resources will be carried out in the coming years.

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Based on the census, tourism administrations at all levels will be required to compile a tourism resource protection plan, as part of a wider plan for the local tourism industry. Every five years, experts will be invited to join a team of consultants to advise and report on protection efforts, with their findings being made public.

"The measure has been drafted to try and prevent damage caused by construction, which happens in some areas, although the situation is generally good," Wu Wenxue, director-general of the planning and finance department of the CNTA, said in a phone interview.

"In the past, the tourism industry has been seen as exploiting and destroying resources. So now we want to stress the importance of protection," Wu said.

Under the draft, developers will be obliged to present a protection plan for both during and after construction, he said.

The draft also includes as yet undeveloped areas that have potential as tourism areas. It forbids any company or individual operating a travel business in a "maiden" area.

The public is being invited to submit comments and suggestions up until Tuesday.