EUROPEAN TRAVEL COMMISSIONFOR INMEDIATE RELEASE
Rue du Marché aux Herbes 61 - 1000 Brussels - BELGIUM
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European Travel Commission Welcomes the Designation of 2018 as EU-China Year for Tourism
Brussels, 12 September 2016.The European Travel Commission welcomes the designation of 2018 as the EU-China Year for Tourism, as announced by Mr Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the EuropeanCommission and Mr Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, at the opening of the EU-China summit on 12 July 2016.
“The EU-China Tourism Year is a great opportunity for the European tourism industry to explore the Chinese market, but also learn how to attract Chinese visitors and offer them the best experience”, said Eduardo Santander, ETC Executive Director. “ETC is looking forward to cooperating with the European Commission and the other EU tourism stakeholders, making sure that we turn this possibility into a great success.”
China is the world’s largest travel market in terms of expenditure and the second largest in terms of outbound travel. Lately, European destinations have strengthened their position in this market, attaining 10,1 million Chinese visitors in 2015, accounting for a share of 13% of all outbound travel from China.ETC opened its Operations’ Group in Beijing in 2010, and has recentlydeliveredextensive market intelligence on the Chinese market[1].
A first meeting with EU tourism stakeholders on the 2018 EU-China Tourism Year programme will take place in the ETC headquarters in Brussels in September 2016, while a discussion with a high level Chinese delegation is scheduled for 25 October 2016 in Beijing in the framework of the ETC Operations Group’s activities.
ENDS
Note to editors:
The European Travel Commission is an association of National Tourism Organisations (NTOs). It was created in 1948 to promote Europe as a tourist destination to the long-haul markets outside of Europe, originally in the USA and later in Canada, Latin America and Asia. It currently has 32 member NTOs, including8 from outside the European Union.
Europe is the world's no. 1 tourist destination with 609 million international arrivals in 2015 and more than 51.4% of the market share of worldwide tourism.
Contact: ETC Executive Unit - Rue du Marché aux Herbes 61 - 1000 Brussels - BELGIUM.
T: + 32 2 548 9000 F: + 32 2 514 1843 e-mail:
For further information: ETC’s corporate website is aimed at industry, government and educational personnel interested in tourism to Europe. Tourists seeking travel-specific information and ideas are directed to ETC’s consumer portal.
[1]A complete list can be retrieved at