The opening ceremony of Guangzhou International Travel Fair 2014(GITF), a grand event annually held in Guangzhou, kicks off today at China Import and Export Fair Pazhou Complex. According to James Fu, general manager of Hannover Milano Fairs China Ltd., “GITF 2014 attracts 750 exhibitors from 42 countriesand regions with over 62% exhibitors from outside China and an exhibition area of more than 22,000 sqm. All of the figures reach a record high.”

The Fair, divided into International Trade and MICE Hall (Hall16.2), Domestic Hall (Hall 15.2) and Local Agency Exhibition (Hall 14.2), will be held in Area C of Pazhou Complex from 27 February to 1 March. The general public and buyers can take a visit in line with their needs. As 2014 was set as the year of Smart Travel by the National Tourism Bureau and Guangzhou City becamea pilot city of national smart travel, GITF launches a separate display areaof Guangzhou smart travel for the first time, in which many application achievements and new products will make their debut as the biggest highlight of the fair.

Spectacular lineup of smart travel achievements
The National Tourism Bureau released the Notice of Printing and Distributing Theme and Slogan of Chinese Tourism Theme Year 2014 at the end of 2013, while Beautiful China,2014— Year of Smart Travelbecame the themethis year. Accordingly,GITF sets up a display region of Guangzhou smart travel for the first time, with an area of over 700 square meters. The organizerinvites nearly 30 scenic areas with 4A-above grade, together with more than 10 technology supporters including China Unicom, South New Tech, CCTV International, , Fok Ying Tung Research Institute, , and , to jointly display top application achievements of Chinese smart travel, including:an official WeChat account of Guangzhou Tourism—Travelling in Guangzhou, touch screen self-service registration system for one-day tour in Guangzhou, Woyoutong client system of mobile phones and smart guide system for visiting Guangzhou Tower. Meanwhile, many innovative products and technologies also debut in the fair, including marketing management system of Lingnan Impression Garden, real time monitoring system of Baiyun Mountain Scenic Area, night tour pie of the Pearl River, WeChat guide system of botanic garden and business meetingmachine of Guoyou Company. As the pilot city of Chinese smart tourism, Guangzhou has made satisfactory progress.

In addition, Tourism Administration of Guangzhou Municipality sets up a publicity booth in the International Hall to introduce the advantages of entry to Guangzhou under the "Guangzhou 72 hour transit visa-free" policy, and the Foreign Affairs Office of Guangzhou Municipal Government also disseminates overseas consular protection policy to the public on the site to improve security awareness.
 

Overseas attendance ratio exceeding 62%
This year, the overseas attendance ratio continuously rises and hits a record of 62 % (2012:47%; 2013:58%). A total of more than 450 overseas exhibitors from 42 countriesand regions attend, including Brazil, U.S., Russia, France, Italy, Peru, Romania, Israel, Fiji, Switzerland, Greece, Iran, Zimbabwe and South Africa. It is the first time for companies from Peru, Romania, Israel, Fiji and Switzerland to join GITF.
 

Also worth mentioning is the performance of the guest country Brazil. A total of more than 10 tourist companies from Brazil set up a large booth covering an area of 108 square meters. They comprehensively promote the rich tourism resources in Brazil by using the World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil as an opportunity. In addition, the Organizing Committee of Milan World Expo 2015 also organizes a group of exhibitors for publicity.

The oversea buyers invited this year are also extraordinary in both quantity and quality. A group of high-profile buyers with financial strength and purchase demand are elaborately selected from thousands of candidates, and most of them are the Fortune 500 companies and world-class traveling agencies. The total number reaches over 700, and 53% of them are here for the first time.
 
Concurrent seminars to presentfinest tourism resources
Fifteen equally remarkable seminars will be held during the same period, including Chenzhou Tourism Promotion of Hunan, Tour Around the New Flower City of Wuhan 2014, Emirates Airline Product Updates, United states, from the ‘heart’ found, All about Guam, All about Russia, Italy Elite Tourism Promotion, We travel, Sixth New Flight Announcement of EL AL Israel Airlines, Travel to Bazil, Luxury Travel in Italy, Healthy Rounding, Embracing the World,Russia versa TravelRussia Tourism Highlights and New Products Release Conference,Greek Tourism & Investment Immigration Promotion and Holy Garze, the Journey of Your Heart. All are held by popular travelling destinations worldwide and focus on hot topics. Participants can have a good knowledge of the development trend of tourism in 2014 and the insight into the finest tourism resources.

GITF 2014 is sponsored by Hannover Milano Fairs Shanghai Ltd.