Tourism officials gather in Hawaii for China-US Tourism Leadership Summit

KAILUA-KONA, Hawai’i – Members of the US Travel Association (USTA) and China National Tourism Association (CNTA), including more than 60 regional tourism directors from the US and China, met at the Ma

KAILUA-KONA, Hawai’i – Members of the US Travel Association (USTA) and China National Tourism Association (CNTA), including more than 60 regional tourism directors from the US and China, met at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows for the 5th Annual China-US Tourism Leadership Summit on Hawai’i Island today. The Summit, considered to be one of the top economic accomplishments by the two countries, is designed to build business through creating relationships and knowledge of both the Chinese and US markets.

“The China-US Tourism Leadership Summit is an important event to build on the growing relationship we have with China,” said Mike McCartney, president and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, “Since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in 2007, opening group and leisure travel from China to the US, we have seen significant growth in this market, with visitor arrivals projected to reach 91,000 in 2011, up 37 percent over last year. This meeting also offers another opportunity to position Hawai’i as a global meetings destination as our state prepares to host the 2011 APEC Leaders’ Week, and builds on the growing interest of our state within the Asia-Pacific region.”

Attendees were welcomed by Roger Dow, president and CEO of USTA, and Qiwei Shao, chairman of CNTA, to discuss and work toward enhancing tourism-related cooperation between the two countries.

Representing Hawai’i was McCartney and Lt. Governor Brian Schatz, who both addressed the participants. Other speakers included Dr. Rachel JC Chen, Ph.D, Center for Sustainable Business and Tourism, University of Tennessee; Dr. Dai Bin, Ph.D, chairman, China Tourism Academy; Mike Lieberman, president and CEO, Los Angeles Convention & Visitors Bureau; Gary Sain, president and CEO, Visit Orlando; Leigh Von Der Esch, managing director, Utah Office of Tourism; She Quingwen, director general, Tian Jin Tourism Administration; Chen Jianjun, director general, Guang Xi Tourism Administration; and Hao Kang Li, director general, Si Chuan Tourism Administration.

“This event has served as a bridge between the tour and travel industries in both countries,” said Bruce Bommarito, senior international consulting partner of the USTA. “It also provides an opportunity to meet and build connections with relevant decision makers from China, a rapidly-growing market, in the tourism industry.”

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Linda Hohnholzová

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