APIA, Samoa, April 2 (NNN-PACIFIC ISLAND NEWS) – The 2019 Year of Tourism for China and Pacific Island Countries was launched here, at a grand ceremony in the capital of Samoa, with coloured fireworks and wonderful cultural programmes.
Luo Shugang, China’s minister of culture and tourism, read a congratulatory message extended by Chinese President, Xi Jinping, to the event at the ceremony.
In a speech delivered at the opening ceremony, Fiame Naomi Mataafa, Samoa’s acting prime minister, hailed the launch of the tourism year, noting that, it is the direct outcome of the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO)’s attendance of a high-level dialogue of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing.
China-Pacific Tourism Year 2019 is a milestone achievement and offers a great opportunity for Pacific Island countries to showcase China what the Pacific Island countries have to offer, with their stunning natural landscapes, sandy beaches, unique culture and friendly people, she said.
“China-Pacific Tourism Year 2019 also reflects, how we as leaders of the region, have placed value on the thriving Asian outbound tourism markets, particularly China, with the world’s largest outbound market of around 140 million visitors last year,” she said.
Both SPTO Chief Executive Officer, Christopher Cocker, and Samoa Tourism Authority (STA) Chief Executive Officer, Papalii Sonja Hunter, made it clear that Pacific island nations are ready to welcome Chinese tourists.
They said that, the Pacific tourism industry is currently working on programmes to be “China Ready,” and the focus is to sustain, develop and promote the Pacific to niche Chinese outbound market segments, who wish to experience the region’s beautiful islands, unique cultures and the healthy, organic food experience of the region.
In their opinions, China is an important target for tourism growth in the region over the coming years, given its numbers and spending power of Chinese visitors.
According to Hunter, the launch of tourism year marks an important chapter in Samoa’s tourism calendar, as it officially marks the country’s categorisation as a tourism destination for Chinese visitors.
Last year, Samoa, which has a population of about 190,000, received over 172,000 foreign tourists. Currently, Samoa has a development blueprint to woo more tourists.
Chinese Ambassador to Samoa, Chao Xiaoliang, said that the tourism year is a very important event for China and the Pacific island countries, as this will help promote cultural and personnel exchanges between them.– NNN-PACIFIC ISLAND NEWS
