On December 11, 2014, CNTA Chairman Li Jinzao met Indian ambassador to China Ashok K. Kanta in Beijing. They held discussions about how to organize a series of activities themed “Year of Tourism” and further enhance the two countries’ exchanges and cooperation in tourism.

 

Mr. Li said that while President Xi Jinping visiting India this September, the two country’s leaders released the Joint Statement on Building a Closer Partnership for Development, stating that “the Year of Indian Tourism will be held in China in 2015 and the Year of Chinese Tourism be held in India in 2016.” As Mr. Li noted, the organization of the Year of Tourism serves as not only an important task for the two countries’ tourism authorities but also a great opportunity to promote their tourism development and enhance their cooperation in this regard. He suggested that a joint working group could be set up responsible for facilitating the two sides’ communication, beefing up efforts, pooling resources to stage the opening and closing ceremonies for the Year of Tourism, organize the supporting activities, expand personnel exchanges between them, and continuously enhance their cooperation in tourism.

 

Mr. Kanta indicated that this year China saw its outbound tourists exceeding 100 million for the first time and this was a milestone for China’s tourism development. On the opportunity of the Year of Tourism, India would beef up its publicity efforts in the Chinese market, in the hope of attracting more Chinese tourists to India and encouraging more Indian tourists to visit China.