Industry Insiders expect student groups, facilitation measures to boost China-US tourism

China

Industry Insiders expect student groups, facilitation measures to boost China-US tourism

2024-05-23 13:50 Last Updated At：05-24 09:35

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.

Slovak president backs China’s initiatives, rejects bias on technology

Slovak President Peter Pellegrini on Wednesday commended China’s global initiatives for advancing development and peace, and stressed that Chinese technology should be judged by standards rather than origin.

This year marks the fifth anniversary of the Global Development Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Over the past five years, it has attracted the participation of 130 countries and international organizations, including Slovakia.

During his state visit to China from Monday to Wednesday, Pellegrini told China Media Group that the country's global initiatives are reshaping development and peace efforts, positioning Slovakia to play a role in the emerging cooperation network .

"I think the characteristic is exactly the two words: development and world peace. When we speak about the Belt and Road Initiative, Slovakia from the geographic point of view is, I think, at the right position to be part of this logistic network from China or the eastern part of the world to the western part. I would like that Slovakia for the future will be part of this logistic network, and I really appreciate and support this kind of initiatives," Pellegrini said.

Pellegrini called for fair treatment of Chinese technology, stressing it should be assessed by security standards rather than dismissed for its origin.

"In reality, I see these activities of the Chinese president and China to try to create again groups of countries or to connect again leaders to speak about really development, peace, new possibilities, new areas of cooperation, to avoid maybe the other type of politics in this moment, which are looking more for conflicts, more confrontation, and this kind of things. So I think it's very helpful, of course. Okay, there are different views on that. And many, I have to say, in the European Union are afraid a little bit. When they see China and they think, okay, maybe we should not cooperate too much with them," Pellegrini said.

"My position is always, and I presented it to Mr. President Xi Jinping, that I really do not agree when somebody is telling that some technology should be not used because it's coming from China. I say, sorry guys, we have to make a specification of security, and whatever technical specification of technology, and it doesn't matter from where technology is coming. If it is in compliance with these rules, the market should be open," he said.