ASEAN, China seek to increase tourist arrivals hinh anh 1Representatives at the ASEAN photo exhibition under the workshop (Photo: VNA)
 
 Beijing (VNA)ASEAN and China have sought to increase respective tourist arrivals in their markets, viewing tourism links as an important part in cultural exchanges and cooperation and helping promote the sector’s growth and inclusive socio-economic development.

At a workshop on sustainable tourism development in Beijing on June 20, Secretary-General of the China-ASEAN Centre Yang Xiuping said the number of Chinese tourists to ASEAN reached 19.8 million in 2016, a year-on-year rise of 6.4 percent, while 10.34 million tourists from the bloc arrived in China the same year, up 57.8 percent against 2015.

The total number of visitors between the two sides has surpassed the 2020 target of 30 million, she noted.

Deputy head of the department of market and international relations under the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) Sun Bo said China has become one of the biggest tourism markets for the ASEAN countries.

The administration always attaches great importance to tourism cooperation and established close cooperative relations with the ASEAN nations.

A photo exhibition highlighting land, culture, and people of Southeast Asia was held as part of the workshop.

Founded in 1967, ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. - VNA
VNA