CRI NEWS

Chinese Travelers Eying a Broader World

2004-11-26 10:04:14 CRIENGLISH.com

International travel has gained tremendous popularity in China over the past few years. Destinations topping the list include neighboring countries like Singapore and Malaysia, but many Chinese travelers have set their sights on taking trips farther afield. CRI's Shanghai correspondent Wang Jing visited the China International Travel Mart in Shanghai and filed this report:

"This is the first time we are here in Shanghai, first time we have a stand here, we are very much interested in the huge market in China; we are planning to promote Cyprus in the market."

This is Photis Photiou, chairman of Tourism Organization of Cyprus, a Mediterranean island, which is not yet a familiar name to many Chinese.

Of the 64 foreign countries and regions represented at the China International Travel Mart, many are coming to China for the first time; the promising outlook of the market seems to be irresistible.

During the first ten months this year, the number of outbound tourists from China climbed to about 24 million, an increase of about 50 percent from last year.

Outbound travel really only became popular with Chinese a few years ago, with the major destinations being Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and New Zealand. This September, with 27 European countries gaining official tourist destination status, Europe is quickly becoming a hotspot for Chinese travelers.

And more countries will soon be added to the list. By the end of this year, Chinese travelers will be able to travel in groups to 63 countries and regions with Approved Destination Status.

The eastern African country of Kenya has already made extensive preparations to host Chinese travelers, as Pummy, managing director of Kenya's Wield Trek travel agency says.

"They think it more like a jungle, but that's not true, it is a very exotic destination. We have the best animals, the best beaches, the mountains, fountains, we have everything in the country. The biggest traveler is Germany and Britain, Chinese people are increasing, we are looking at them to become the top ten."

China's travel agencies are also taking action. Jia Yiyuan is the marketing manager of one of China's biggest travel agencies, "China Comfort Travel".

"We can predict that after the opening of European and African countries, South America will open soon. Travelers now have even more choices. There will be a number of people that will travel to countries they're not familiar with, such as the African countries, and we think that will make a huge market. "

According to a forecast from the World Tourism Organization, China will have 100 million outbound travelers and become the fourth largest source of outbound travel in the world by 2020.

Wang Jing, CRI news, Shanghai.

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