On the first day of Fitur 2013, China Business Network  joined forces with CNTO Madrid office successfully organised China Tourism Forum. During the two consecutive sessions on inbound and outbound travel to and from China, high level tourism officials and senior travel professionals shared their experience and insight into travel and tourism both to and from China.

China Inbound Tourism:
The Director of CNTO Madrid office, who is also the Official Representative of CNTA in UNWTO, Mr Shi Xiang addressed the the China Tourism Forum by highlighting the fast growth of travel and tourism industry in China both inbound and outbound. According to the statistics, China inbound tourism achieved 132 million person and the total income of the inbound tourism reached 50 billion RMB in 2012. 

Latest data also shows that the total number of Chinese outbound tourists reached 83 million in 2012 who spent US$ 85 billion overseas which is one of the main reasons that many destinations are eager to attract more and high spending Chinese visitors.

Mr Shi also clarified the new policy of visa free transit to Beijing and Shanghai for up to 72 hours for foreign visitors from 45 countries. 

 

 

Speaker on the inbound session of China Tourism Furom in FITUR 2013
1. Mr. Xiang Shi -Director, China National Tourist Office, Madrid
2. Mr. Qing Wang -Director - Office of Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development
3. Mr.Hongqing Qi - Depute Director, Division of Marketing and Promotion, Henan Provincial Tourism Administration
4. Ms. Hua Bi - Director, Division 1 Department of Iberoamerica, CITS
5. Mr. Garcia Vicente - Chairman of GRUPO CYBAS
6. Ms. Maria Jueses Ramires - Sales Manager, Air China Madrid Office
7. Mr Javier Giacom of China International Travel

China Outbound Tourism:
Before the inbound session was over audience registered for the outbound session swamped the conference room. Some earlier audience also stayed on that indicate the exceptional interest among destination promotion authorities and travel companies in the fast growing outbound travel from China. 

The audience were not disappointed by the inside and experience of outbound travel from China offered by four distinguished panellists including, the President of International Council and Alliance of Tourism Partners-Prof.Geoffrey Lipman, the Director of Flamengo Museum-Dr. Kurt Grötsch, the General Manager of Shenzhen Pengyun International Travel Service-Mr.Dong Jun and Mr.Dong Liang, Product Director of Purchasing Dept from China CYTS M.I.C.E (Shanghai )Service Co., Ltd.