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BIZCHINA / Center

US looks for more Chinese tourists

By Ding Qingfen (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-05-25 08:57

The China-US economic exchanges in the tourism sector are expected to
enter a new, positive phase as the two nations yesterday announced the
China-US Tourism Joint Declaration at the close of the three-day
Strategic Economic Dialogue.

The declaration says the relevant authorities from the two sides will
soon start official consultations on ways to encourage more Chinese to
travel around the US, while emphasizing the importance of the tourism
sector in promoting bilateral trade volume.

China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) officials were not
immediately available for comment.

But the buzz is that the ADS (Approved Destination Status) issue, which
has long troubled the two nations' regulators but has not been addressed,
will be brought to the table again.

The ADS problem, if addressed, would give a big boost to bilateral
economic exchanges, and more importantly, help erase part of the trade
deficit the US has run up with China.

Though China has gradually opened up the tourism sector by granting ADS
to many nations since its entry into the World Trade Organization in
2001, the US has not been granted ADS.

"It's the US, not China, that's responsible for the situation. They are
not willing to open up the sector," said Li Xinjian, a senior researcher
with School of Tourism Management under Beijing International Studies
University.

Noel Irwin Hentschel, CEO of American Tours International and vice-chair
of the US Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, agreed: "The two sides have
conducted talks before, but US officials worry Chinese visitors wouldn't
go back after they reach the US," Hentschel had told China Daily earlier.

But the CEO doesn't see this happening as the Chinese economy is growing
bigger and the quality of life in China is getting better.

Hentschel is now dedicated to promoting ADS, and believes the problem
will probably be resolved around 2008.

The US pins high hopes on tourists from China, expecting to receive more
than 490,000 Chinese visitors in 2008, and 100 million by 2010, said Li
of School of Tourism Management. This can't be easily realized if the ADS
issue remains unresolved as it makes it difficult for Chinese residents
to get US visa.

(China Daily 05/25/2007 page14)

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