US travel agents explore tourism opportunities

"We are designing cruise tours of over 10 days to Asia, which connect countries including China, Japan and the Republic of Korea," he says, adding that tourists can stay in each country for a few days and experience different cultures.

China Tourism Group Travel Service employee Bo Lin says that the travel agent tour aimed to boost travel from the US to China and reinforce the outcomes of the 14th China-US Tourism Leadership Summit in Xi'an in May. CTG Travel is one of the organizers of the trip.

"We showcased China's rich tourism resources, from ancient architecture and traditional culture to the modern life of residents, to our US friends," Bo says, adding that the tour also allowed the travel agents to learn about China's latest efforts to promote convenience in inbound tourism.

In the first seven months of this year, the number of foreign visitors to China soared 129.9 percent year-on-year to 17.25 million, according to the National Immigration Administration.

China has been continuously optimizing its visa-free transit policy and enhancing its mobile payment systems. This month, Shanghai updated its guide for inbound travelers. The comprehensive guide in English covers communication, payments, transportation, hotline numbers, visas, tax refunds and emergency assistance, among other topics.

"I think there is a lot of potential and great growth points for China's tourism market," Chernay says.

Xinhua