Chengdu, China's gateway to its western domain, is keen on chomping a bigger travel market share by upping its international flights this year.

The city has already opened 11 international air routes since 2011, flying people to and from international cities like Doha, Frankfurt, London and Melbourne. This year, the Sichuan capital is bound to open direct flights to the United States and Russia while increasing trips in European and Asian countries.

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Over the past decade, Chengdu has soared as one of China's top tourism destinations as the home of pandas and culinary tradition. As the first Asian country to be recognized as UNESCO City of Gastronomy, world-class restaurants multiplied in Chengdu since 2010.

Last year, the serious effort of the city government to boost its tourism became evident with its much publicized events.

Chengdu opened the New Century Global Center, dubbed as the "world's biggest building," which is home to hotels, movie theaters, shopping malls, business offices and leisure parks. As CNN put its massiveness in perspective, the "Global Center can house 20 Sydney Opera Houses."

In line with this, Chengdu hosted the Fortune Global Forum where world leaders and heads of global businesses convened. Chinese President Xi Jinping described the Fortune Global Forum as "one of the most influential forums on economic development in the world."

Chengdu also adopted a policy of 72-hour visa-free stay for 51 countries. Transit passengers were allowed to explore the city up to 3 days without visa, the first in Chinese central and western region to adopt such policy to promote tourism.

Aside from the flocking of tourists, Chengdu also expects an influx of investors as the government aims to develop the city as the transportation and aviation hub of China's western region by 2015.

Last year, the first freight rail services from China to Europe also opened in Chengdu, delivering goods from China to Europe within 12 to 14 days. With the development of transporting goods without the use of sea ports, Chengdu expects to attract overseas capital and investments with the convenience of the transportation system.

Furthermore, Chengdu city government is also planning to construct its second airport to ease the air traffic congestion, as reported by China Daily.

According to the report, construction will begin during the first half next year or even at the latter part this year if "everything progresses smoothly."

Chengdu already has 71 international air routes and 33.44 million passenger trips in 2013, making Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport the fourth busiest airport in mainland China.