Tourism industry insiders from China and the United States said on Wednesday that they believe more mutual visits by student groups along with facilitation measures and practical cooperation between the two sides will help boost bilateral tourism exchanges.
The industry insiders made the observation at the just-concluded 14th China-U.S. Tourism Leadership Summit held in northwest China's Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province.
Themed on "Promoting China-U.S. Humanistic Exchanges through Tourism," the summit was co-sponsored by China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Shaanxi Provincial People's Government, and the U.S. Department of Commerce on Wednesday, which gathered government representatives and industry insiders from both countries.
At the event, the two sides discussed how to promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges, boost cooperation in tourism and foster exchanges while a series of agreements were signed.
Many industry insiders said the increasing number of flights between the two countries will play a crucial role in swiftly restoring tourism to pre-pandemic levels, adding that they also have strong hopes for youth exchanges between the two countries.
"I think one of the areas that we have the greatest opportunity to really capitalize on cultural exchanges and people to people exchanges is in working with student groups. I know there's power in that. And I think the more we can do to grow those exchanges, especially educational exchanges, cultural exchanges, is going to be a powerful motivator for growing the relationship between the two countries," said Todd Davidson, board chair of Brand USA, a public-private partnership that promotes travel between the U.S. and other countries.
The summit saw three groups of China-U.S. tourism partner cities be announced, along with the achievements of a series of agreements in city-to-city cooperation, trade, and cultural exchanges.
"The tourism exchange and cooperation between the two countries this time features not only the strengthened measures made by governments to facilitate visa procedures, air rights, payment, and language communication, but also the close practical cooperation between local governments, cities, and tourism enterprises of the two countries, which will provide tourists with more convenient options. These will lay the market foundation for the development of tourism industries, especially the tourism exchanges and cooperation," said Dai Bin, president of the China Tourism Academy.
Industry Insiders expect student groups, facilitation measures to boost China-US tourism
Industry Insiders expect student groups, facilitation measures to boost China-US tourism
Industry Insiders expect student groups, facilitation measures to boost China-US tourism
