Matt Thompson, Project Director of the Tarsus Group, organizer of the COTTM, delivers a welcoming speech at the opening ceremony of the event on Wednesday, April 22, 2009. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]

By CRI Reporter Duan Xuelian

The 2009 China Outbound Travel and Tourism Market (COTTM), an exhibition dedicated to China's outbound travel sector opened in the China World Trade Center in Beijing on Wednesday.

The exhibition, celebrating its fifth year now, has drawn over 200 travel companies from more than 50 countries and regions coming to showcase their products and services.

Russell Lee Oquist, President of the American Golden Journeys says this is the second time he has presented his company at the COTTM, and this time, he would like to recommend their personal tailored travel services to Chinese travelers.

"For example, we will take you to a basketball game in Houston and maybe get you an autograph from Yao Ming, if you are a fan," he explains.

He adds that compared to other agents based in the United States, their services are more customized.

Standing next to the presentation booth of American Golden Journeys is the regally decorated promotion pavilion of the Peru Export and Tourism Promotion Board.