As of yesterday, tickets for the Shanghai World Expo were available for sales. Travel agencies in Nanjing had launched their World Expo tour packages and started signing citizens up at the same time.

Although the actual prices for these World Expo tour packages have not been released yet, there is no doubt that it is more economical to visit the World Expo with a travel agency than it is to take the tour individually£¬because the prices that travel agencies paid for group tickets are only one third of what individuals would have to pay for single tickets. Further, a special express lane for entering the Expo venue will be provided only for tour groups. Considering at least 400,000 persons may be visiting the World Expo per day, it may be a better idea to go there with a packaged tour group.

Travel agencies have designed a variety of tour packages with their group tickets in hands. For example, Nanjing Spring International Travel Service Co., Ltd has launched various packages, including driving tours, self-served tours and group tours.

The total number of visitors is expected to reach 70,000,000 throughout the Expo period and the hotel room rates are estimated to go up by at least 50%.