China-Africa tourism exchanges have been on a big upswing since
2000, according to officials in Beijing.
National Tourism Administration figures show that the number of
Chinese tourists choosing African countries as first stops on trips
abroad reached 194,000 last year, a year-on-year growth of 35.2
percent, with South Africa and Egypt as the top two
destinations.
The same year, China played host to 294,000 African tourists, a
year-on-year growth of 23.4 percent, with South Africa and Egypt as
the two biggest sources of tourists.
China has approved 28 African countries as tourism destinations
for citizens, including nine which were announced during the
China-Africa Cooperation Forum in Beijing late last year.
Kimyanjui, a consular official with the Kenyan Embassy in
Beijing, said his government is keen to attract Chinese tourists
and had launched advertising and promotion campaigns.
Kimyanjui said Kenya attracted 12,000 Chinese tourists in 2005
and more in 2006. "We look forward to receiving more," he said.
A manager surnamed Rao with China International Travel Service
said African tours have great potential and the number of visitors
has been increasing substantially in recent years.
"The top two destinations are Egypt and South Africa, which
attract far more Chinese tourists than other African countries,"
Rao said.
Rao said eight-day tours to Egypt and South Africa cost about
13,000 yuan (US$1,665) and 16,000 yuan (US$2,050).
"The two lines are so popular that we have no more seats on
tours to the two countries during the Spring Festival," Rao
said.
(China Daily February 6, 2007)
