Zhejiang International Travelling Agents Conference appeals for closer cooperation
Travel BizNews –
Hangzhou, China, Nov. 12: The China (Zhejiang) International Travelling Agents Conference concluded here today with a commitment to develop Hangzhou as the most popular destination for travelers around the world.
The conference on Zhejiang Provincial and Hangzhou Municipal Tourism Promotion was sponsored by Hangzhou Municipal Government and Zhejiang Promotional Tourism Bureau and hosted by Hangzhou Tourism Commission.
The event was well attended by more than 300 delegates from 28 countries including participants from USA, UK and European countries. International tourism and travel personalities, tour operators, national and international tourism organizations participated in the conclave.
Representatives from organizations and professional travel and tour operators from Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, and Europe attended the China (Zhejiang) International Travelling Agents Conference.
Vice Governor Wang Chen of the People’s Government of Zhejiang Province highlighted on the government’s strategies to develop tourism in Hangzhou in his inaugural address here today.
On the occasion, Director of China National Tourism Bureau of Madrid Shi Xiang said that tourism industry has flourished especially after policies of openness and continues to move ahead due to strong leadership of China.
Similarly , Deputy Mayor of Hangzhou Municipal Government Zhang Jianting , Deputy Director General of Zhejiang Tourism Provincial Tourism Bureau Xu Peng and high ranking officials from China National Tourism Administration and CNTO highlighted on tourism development of Hangzhou and Zhejiang province.
Various tour operating agencies and organizations from China and the delegates from Asia-Pacific and South-East Asian countries participated in the International Travelling Agents Business sessions held at Sheraton Hangzhou today.
Likewise, People’s Government of Zhejiang Province and Zhejiang Provincial Tourism Bureau organized a reception here in honour of delegates of the conference.
Hangzhou is considered a real treasure for tourists due to its most beautiful scenery, world famous green tea garden, world class silk as well as the world heritage site -West Lake.
Hangzhou, the capital of the Zhejiang Province with population of 8.7 million, is a wonderful mix of old and new with West Lake as the heart of the city. Hangzhou a very fast-growing economy and is the city in the Pearl Delta with the most booming economy. Hangzhou is ranked as number second among the provincial capitals of China in terms of economic development.
According to World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the travel and tourism industry in China is substantially bigger than automotive manufacturing and supports almost as many jobs as the mining sector.
The sector’s direct contribution to China’s GDP is CNY 1.2 trillion, which is 13 per cent more than the contribution to the GDP of automotive manufacturing and larger than communications services and the education sector. Travel and tourism’s total contribution to GDP in China is around 9% of total GDP.
China is the third most visited country in the world with number of international tourists more than 57 million in 2011. China will become the largest tourist generating country and among the largest for overseas travel in 2020, a UNWTO research states.
