China has invited Pakistan to attend its national events being organised in Beijing this year to promote bilateral co-operation in the tourism sector. These events would also be participated by the representatives from other regional countries and provide ample opportunity for strengthening tourism industry, said a senior official of China National Tourism Association. The events include three separate exhibitions to be held in March, June and August.
The Chinese government has already granted Approved Destination Status (ADS) to Pakistan to boost mutually benefit co-operation in the tourism sector.
Under the joint declaration that was signed by the Chinese President Hu Jintao and President Pervez Musharraf in November, 2003 the two countries were required to take concrete measures to expand tourism markets and enhance tourism promotion.
The official told APP that formal invitations have been sent to the relevant institutions in Pakistan through its Embassy in Beijing, seeking maximum participation in the exhibitions that were being exclusively arranged for the countries having the Approved Destination Status. Chinese tourists are enthusiastic to visit the South Asian countries including Pakistan, especially during their national holidays.
"We are getting a favourable response from the tourists to visit the countries that have been granted ADS," the official said.
Under the ADS, the two tour operators of both the countries were allowed to formally negotiate the tour packages to attract tourists.
The ADS agreements normally stipulate procedures for processing visas for nationals of one country to travel to the other country and set other guidelines, such as requiring that licensed tour guides be used on all tours.
The agreements also require both countries to select travel agencies to handle all inbound and outbound tourism travel.
With respect to visa application procedures, under a standard ADS agreement, immigration authorities of host countries are required to grant participating Chinese travel agencies authority to submit application documents on behalf of a group of travellers.
According to the sources, Pakistan could be the most attractive destination, if the departments concerned offer special group-tour packages for the Chinese citizens, There is also need to properly project the country's tourism attractions. The two countries have already exchanged lists of tour operators and travelling agencies to arrange tour groups to both the countries.
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