Working together for Chinese tourists

After staying in Vancouver for two days to view Stanley Park, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Canada place and Olympic Venues, the inaugural group of visitors from China will be divided into several smaller groups and embark on different itineraries.

One thing the CNTA representatives emphasized was to put Chinese language signage on major Canadian tour attractions, such as parks, airports, train stations, and museums. CNTA has also promoted more Chinese language services in Canadian hotels, including bringing in Chinese Television programs in hotel rooms.

To date, there's only one airport -- Vancouver airport -- with Chinese signage on site, according to Goldstein. However, the Canadians are working hard to get ready for the Chinese visitors.

"We've been very busy communicating with our members, such as hotel industry, airports, train stations and other facilities to get ready for new Chinese visitors," Goldstein told Xinhua. "We have just begun this process, and there's whole series of things we have to do."

Potential profit from Chinese market

Galpin said that CTC is also working with Canadian tour operators on future plans for the Chinese tourists, such as itineraries including sightseeing attractions.

The biggest challenges that Galpin mentioned involve ensuring that the Chinese tour operators and Canadian tour operators can put together quality tours and travel products for Chinese tourists.

And even without ADS, lots of Chinese people have been traveling to Canada on individual groups, according to Galpin.

One benefit that the ADS deal brings to the Canadian tourism industry is now Canadian firms are allowed to market in China, which means Canada's tourism organizations can directly advertise through Chinese media.

With ADS, CTC is able to fully promote and advertise Canada to Chinese consumers and Chinese travel agents. The goal is to increase the number of independent and student travelers -- not only tour groups.

Galpin said about three million to four million Canadian dollars has been budgeted to promote Canada in China.

According to CTC's report, in 2009 there were 160,000 visitors from China to Canada. CTC forecasts that in the next five years, the number of Chinese tourists will increase by at least 50 percent.