Press Release
FIJI HOSTS INAUGURAL FIJI – CHINA TOURISM SYMPOSIUM
The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism, in collaboration with the China Cultural Centre Fiji, successfully organized the inaugural Fiji – China Tourism Symposium on Friday, 23 August 2019 at the Sofitel Resort & Spa. This event was part of Fiji’s celebration of the Chinese Pacific Tourism Year 2019 (CPTY 2019).
A total of 24 Fijian representatives from the local tourism industry attended the Symposium and had business meetings with 36 Chinese counterparts from 9 provinces in China. The objective of the event was to create more business opportunities in the area of tourism between Fiji and China.
The Director General for International Corporation from the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ms Yaying Li expressed the growing aspirations of Chinese visitors to Fiji.
“We are building on the positive momentum of the tourism year and we are ready to work with the Fijian Government and the tourism industry to further unlock the potential for cooperation under the Belt and Road initiative, promote mutual visits and enhance the understanding and friendship between our two peoples”, Said Ms Li.
The Permanent Secretary for Education, Heritage and Arts, Alison Burchell, shared similar sentiments and acknowledged the importance of the Chinese tourism market to Fiji and noted that the Fijian Government and the local tourism industry have been working towards being more ‘China-ready’.
“Whilst China is still an emerging market for Fiji, it remains one of our top visitor source markets and through initiatives such as this Symposium, we hope to grow this market and continuously strive to become ‘China Ready’. The Fijian tourism industry has progressed towards creating an industry tailored to the needs of the Chinese market. For example, incorporating Chinese cuisine in hotel menus and having Chinese translators”, highlighted PS Burchell.
A bilateral meeting between Government officials from the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Fijian Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism was also held on Saturday, 24 August where discussions included opportunities under the CPTY 2019 and areas of mutual cooperation for the benefit of both countries.
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