URUMQI, April 9 (Xinhua) -- The equity exchange in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region launched a "tourism board" on Monday for trading of equities in local tourism companies.

Six local companies were listed on the board at Xinjiang Equity Exchange (XEE).

XEE deputy manager Ma Qing said the board would help finance local tourism companies, and, by accumulating company information for the sector, serve the government in policy making and implementation.

The board was jointly established by the XEE and Xinjiang tourism association.

Regional equity platforms are an important part of China's capital market that mainly provides financing services for non-public stock companies in equity circulation in the areas.

Last year, Xinjiang received more than 100 million tourists, the highest figure in its history. Consumption in the sector hit 180 billion yuan (28.5 billion U.S. dollars), a 30-percent increase.