Source: CCTV.com

12-13-2007 11:45

Special Report:   3rd China-U.S. SED

Chinese travel agencies are optimistic, and with good reason. China and the US have signed an agreement allowing Chinese to travel to the US as part of group tours.

According to a memorandum of understanding signed on Tuesday, Chinese tourists will be able to conduct group travel to the US on tourist visas. Currently, the US only issues business visas to Chinese travelers.

Most travel agencies plan to promote tours in American cities, like Los Angeles, Washington D.C. and New York. Prices average 25,000 yuan, or almost 35,000 US dollars per person, and they are expected to decrease as time goes on.

Tang Tao, Director of American Department of China Comfort Travel said "We will sign a series of contracts with local airlines and hotels in the US. So costs can be reduced by 5 to 10 percent."

The National Tourism Administration of China says further discussions will be conducted with the US Department of Commerce about organized tours. And Chinese travelers can visit the US by as early as May.

The US Department of Commerce forecasts that the number of Chinese tourists will reach 579,000 by 2011, up from 320,000 last year.

 

Editor:Xiong Qu