A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between Air China and AmericanTours International to work towards bringing more Chinese tourists to the United States.

The signing was executed by ATI'S Chairman Noel Irwin Hentschel and Air China's Zhang Lan, Chairman Commercial Committee, for the airline.

"This cooperation represents a joining of forces for increased travel between America and China. ATI is a preferred strategic partner of the American Automobile Association (AAA) and Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) providing travel services for their 50 million members. ATI is in the unique position of being the only American owned travel company with the ability to provide both inbound and outbound travel for China," Hentschel stated.

ATI is the largest American-owned, privately held, inbound tour operator serving nearly one million visitors annually from more than 70 countries around the world. Headquartered in Los Angeles, ATI has regional offices located in New York, Washington D.C., San Francisco, Miami, Orlando, Honolulu, and Maui.

Based in Beijing, Air China is the largest carrier by available seat miles and the designated flag carrier of China. Air China operates a fleet of 200 Boeing and Airbus aircraft, serving 80 domestic cities and 36 international destinations in 22 countries and regions.

"Based on our experience and the spending habits of the Chinese visitor to the US we conservatively estimate the value of this MOU of Strategic Partnership to be more than one-half billion to be generated into the US economy over the next 4 years, based on the US receiving an Approved Destination Status (ADS) by China within that time," Hentschel added. "Statistics show on average over a 4 day period the Chinese spend US$1,250 per day on shopping. This does not take into consideration the revenue generated to our hotels, restaurants and attractions. This is clearly a deliverable to the US economy and will help drive more job opportunities."