REGULATIONS
China Allows More Opportunities for U.S. Tourism Firms
January 27, 2010
Staff Writers

WASHINGTON – The Commerce Department and the China National Tourism Administration have agreed to expand market opportunities for American companies in China. The plan, which will be implemented by the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) Tourism Working Group, builds on a 2007 bilateral agreement to expand travel between the United States and China.

"The successful implementation of the agreement, involving 21 provinces of China, which will create new market opportunities for U.S. companies in the travel and tourism sectors, is a key priority for the Obama Administration," Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said. “Our tourism and travel industry offers innovative, world-class services that can benefit travelers and tourists in China and around the world."

The Department of Commerce forecasts 2010 inbound travel from China to increase 15 percent from 2009 and exceed 800,000 travelers by 2013. Chinese visitors spent nearly $4 billion in the United States in 2008. According to the UN World Tourism Organization, China is the fastest growing travel market in the world, and is estimated to reach 100 million international travelers by 2020.

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