BEIJING - The number of caravans in China is expected to increase by about 50 percent or more annually over the next three to five years, an industry expert said Tuesday.

By 2015, the number of caravans in China will surpass 20,000 and may even reach 50,000 if the industry develops well, said Ye Shengji, deputy secretary-general of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

Currently, China has more than 10,000 caravans and about 100 campgrounds for such vehicles, according to Ye. He added that there is a great market demand for caravans in China.

China has about 40 enterprises producing more than 120 types of caravans. Charter companies, clubs, enterprises, government departments and the film and TV industries are the industry's biggest customers, he said, adding that the number of private owners is still small.

"The construction of more campgrounds and the establishment of industry standards and regulations is needed in China," Ye said.

China can learn from other countries and develop its own standards and regulations for the caravan industry, he said.

"The government should support technological innovation and the construction of campgrounds with policies in order to boost the industry's development," he said.

In a tourism development plan announced by the State Council in 2009, caravan manufacturing was included on a list of tourism-related industries that will be boosted.