The Fujian Cross-Straits International Travel Agency in Pingtan, Fujian province recently got rated as 5A, the highest level among China's travel agencies, local news portal ptnet.cn reported on Jan 18.

Observers say that since the agency is the first of its kind to receive such an honor in the county, it will be a role model for other travel agencies in the area.

The general manager of the agency Wu Shimin said, "The title is a reward and recognition for our travel services. We will work harder to develop better travel products to boost cross-Straits tourism by taking advantage of Pingtan's preferential policies."

Huang Hai, deputy director of local tourism department also said that it was difficult to be rated as 5A level and the award manifested the agency's overall strength and first-class services.

Huang added that local authorities are working on promoting local tourism resources and will help more local travel agencies to get rated as A-level in 2016.

Yu Hengbing, president of the Pingtan Tourism Association said that being rated as such a high-rated travel agency will also help enhance the overall quality of Pingtan's tourism sector.

Notably, the rating system for China's travel agencies includes five levels ranging from A to 5A. The evaluation criteria cover the operation, achievements, management, services, security, credit and marketing style of the travel agencies.