ChinaContact, the market entry specialist for the Chinese tourism industry, welcomed the most recent addition to the approved tourism destination list for Chinese tourists - United States of America. The bilateral agreement signed by the US and China in December sets the way for implementation of open tourism promotion of US destinations in the Chinese market from the Spring.

Speaking on the China Business Show recently, ChinaContact Managing Director Roy Graff was optimistic about what this means for growth in visitor numbers from China to America while sounding caution of the need for careful implementation. He explained that experience in Australia and Europe of Chinese leisure tourism can show the US tourism industry how to grow this market sustainably. While potentially huge, the market is still in its infancy and requires specialist knowledge and the correct strategy for local marketing and sales campaigns. Much depends on how the two governments will decide to implement the agreement and decide on who will be allowed to supply services to the new tourist groups.

Closer to China, congratulations to TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) for receiving the Travel Weekly China award last month in Beijing for best short haul destination and for its marketing and promotion activities in China.

ChinaContact congratulated also its China partner TLM-China Marketing co., which has been providing marketing and promotion support for TAT throughout China as extension of TAT's offices in Beijing and Shanghai. TLM-China represent TAT, Royal Orchid Holidays, Amari hotels and Bangkok Airlines. Together with ChinaContact they offer representation and GSA services to International destinations, hotel chains, airlines and tour operators. Their experience of selling to the Chinese market and their intimate knowledge of the key players in the travel trade is unique and invaluable to new destinations wishing to promote themselves in China.