Brand USA, CNTA to host US-China tourism summit
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Brand USA, the tourism marketing body, is teaming up with the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) to host a tourism summit this month.
Nearly 200 tourism industry leaders from the US and China will gather in Los Angeles for the annual US-China Leadership Summit, which will be held at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza. The aim of the summit is to provide an open forum to discuss issues affecting tourism between the two countries.
Visit California and the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board are also backing the event.
“Tourism continues to be a powerful driver for ushering in a new era of cooperation between the US and China,” said Christopher L. Thompson, Brand USA’s president & CEO. “Bringing tourism leaders and government officials from both countries together will help facilitate meaningful partnerships during the summit and beyond.”
China is currently the fourth-largest source market for inbound tourism to the US, according to Brand USA. More than two million Chinese visited the US in 2014 – a jump of 20% over the previous year. And Brand USA project that China will become the number one market within three years.
“The increasing flow of Chinese tourists to the US translates into substantial economic impact,” Thompson said. “Chinese visitors spend on average US$6,000 per person on each trip to the US – about 30% more than other inbound international travellers.
“The summit is a tremendous opportunity to discuss strategies for joint marketing by the US and China. And, it affords an ideal environment for forging productive, enduring relationships,” he added.
In November 2014, the US and China announced a reciprocal agreement that extends the validity of short-term tourist and business visas issued to each other’s citizens from one to 10 years. Student visa validity also increased from one to five years.
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