URUMQI, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- China's far-western Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region welcomed a record high of 107 million tourists in 2017, up 32.4 percent year-on-year.

The number was announced by Shohrat Zakir, chairman of the Xinjiang regional government, when he delivered a government work report at the ongoing local parliamentary session.

In addition, tourists spent over 182 billion yuan (28.4 billion U.S. dollars) in Xinjiang last year, 30 percent more than in 2016.

As tourism is seen as a barometer of stability and harmony, Zakir said, Xinjiang's tourism performance "shows again that Xinjiang is a good place."

During the past year, improved social stability has provided conditions and guarantees for Xinjiang's economic and social development, giving residents a better sense of security, he said.

Calling tourism "an important pillar industry with the greatest potential" in Xinjiang, the report said that the region should strive for at least 30 percent year-on-year growth in tourist numbers in 2018.