With smiles and Canadian flags waving, the first organized tour groups from China arrived at YVR this week, a result of Canada’s status as an approved destination.
Accompanied by DU Jiang, Vice Chairman of the China National Tourism Administration, enthusiastic travellers from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou were greeted by Mounties in red serge and Airport Authority President and CEO Larry Berg, Premier Gordon Campbell and Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia–Pacific Gateway.
Earlier this year, China granted Canada Approved Destination Status (ADS), a goal YVR and the government’s of Canada and B.C. have long been advocating. It means that tour operators in both countries can market and advertise Canada as a travel destination to the people of China.
ADS is expected to increase Chinese visitors to B.C. by 10 per cent in 2010, 15 per cent in 2011 and an additional 15 per cent for 2012. Last year, 160,833 Chinese visitors came to Canada, with more than half visiting B.C. The inaugural group of 300 to 350 tour operators and tourists puts the agreement into operational status.
To learn more about ADS and these first tour groups, check out the news release from the Government of Canada.
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You lost me at “red surge”..
Thanks for the typo catch; it’s been corrected.