Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Shen Huirong, director of the market promotion department under the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), said that CNTA has held affirmative talks about the cooperation with the International Convention and Congress Association (ICCA).

"It was the first time for ICCA to attend the China International Travel Mall, which is held between November 14 and 17," Shen said.

One of the most prominent organizations in the world of international conventions, ICCA will lead more than 50 buyers from Britain, France, Germany and the Netherlands to discuss business opportunities with Chinese partners from Beijing and Shanghai, Shen said.

ICCA is the only association that comprises a membership representing the main specialists in handling, transporting and accommodating international events. With members in more than 76 countries around the world, it is the most global organization within the convention industry.

"More overseas tourists and organizations are showing great interest in our tourism as China has become one of the safest destination for tourists and the best place for investors," Shen added.

In addition to ICCA, more than 1,300 buyers from nearly 46 countries and regions, including Japan, Russia, Germany, France, Italy and the United States, attended the tourism fair, which has been held in either Shanghai or Kunming, capital of Southwest China's Yunnan Province, each year since 1999.

More than 1,700 domestic travel services, hotels and airlines have attended the international travel fair.

China's tourism industry has made remarkable progress both in the overseas and domestic markets since the 1980s. Many provinces listed tourism as their pillar industry.

CNTA statistics show that in the first nine months of this year, tourist arrivals from other countries and regions to China hit 72.87 million, up 11 percent over the same period last year. The tourism revenue of foreign currencies reached US$15.2 billion, an increase of 15.1 percent.

It is expected that the tourism revenue of foreign currencies will reach US$20 billion by the end of this year, while overseas arrivals will reach about 80 million.

In another developemnt, the China Travel Service Corporation (CTS) and Touristik Union International (TUI) also signed a memorandum of co-operation here on Wednesday on establishing a Sino-German joint venture travel company.

The new travel company, to be controlled by TUI, is the first of its kind in China and will provide an important platform for inbound European travelers.

CTS attaches great importance to developing overseas markets and attracting more inbound travelers, said Liu Jiaxiang, the general manager of CTS.

Liu added through its collaboration with TUI, CTS can attract more European tourists and learn from foreign travel agencies.

TUI holds 3,700 tourism retailers, 285 hotels and 88 aircraft.

(China Daily November 15, 2002)