CNTA Hosts Dinner for Foreign NTO Representatives

Posted: Mon 23 Jan, 2012 11:21 AM

The China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) hosted a reception dinner for foreign NTO representatives on January 18. Mr Shao Qiwei, Chairman of CNTA, delivered a welcome speech and expressed sincere appreciation to all representatives. Ms Kate Chang, PATA Regional Director – Greater China together with more than 100 representatives from 38 countries and regions presented at the event.

 

Chairman Shao said, “The Chinese Government has made it clear to build tourism into a strategic pillar industry and a modern service industry based on China's country condition and the world tourism development. We are striving to foster the tourism growth by promoting the integrated development of tourism industry and the primary, secondary and other sectors of the tertiary industry and to facilitate the transformation of the tourism industry into a modern service industry by applying information technology.”

 

According to statistics released by CNTA, in face of the volatile international financial market, China's tourism industry still achieved a sustained, steady and fast development. In 2011, the overnight overseas tourist arrivals reached 57.58 million, up 3.44%, generating the foreign exchange earnings of 48.5 billion USD, up 5.78%. The outbound travels from China totaled 70.25 million, up 22.42%. The domestic travels hit 2.64 billion, up 13.2%. The total receipts generated from tourism industry were 2.25 trillion USD, up 20.1%.

 

“We will continue to uphold the principle of opening up to the outside world and cooperation for the mutual benefits. China will not change its policy of encouraging its citizens to travel abroad.  In 2011 we conducted pilot programs to allow foreign-funded enterprises to operate outbound travel business, which will expand to cover more enterprises this year. We are willing to further promote the two-way tourist traffic between China and other destinations, and carry out deeper and more extensive tourism industry cooperation. We will share the opportunities and work together for a brighter future of world tourism industry.” added Chairman Shao.

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