PM Witnesses Signing of China Co-operation Arrangement
Last updated:
April 2009
Media Statement
Wednesday 22 April 2009 – For immediate release
Prime Minister John Key and Premier Wen Jiabao witnessed the signing of an arrangement on closer dialogue between tourism officials during his recent visit to China.
The New Zealand Ministry of Tourism (TMT) and the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) negotiated the new Tourism Cooperation Arrangement, which will provide the framework for greater dialogue, coordination and cooperation between TMT, Tourism New Zealand and CNTA in future years.
Ambassador to China, Tony Browne, for the Ministry of Tourism and Chairman Shao Qiwei, on behalf of the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), jointly signed the arrangement on 15 April.
The arrangement demonstrates a commitment by both nations to working more closely on tourism issues and improving the quality of the visitor experience in both countries. One of the main priorities includes the Ministry of Tourism and Tourism New Zealand seeking to work with CNTA on measures to improve the way tours are currently marketed. Tourism New Zealand encourages Chinese travel agents to market tours with robust itineraries that are built around New Zealand’s premium tourism activities, rather than shopping.
Ray Salter, Ministry of Tourism General Manager, said that the signing of the arrangement provided formal recognition of both nations’ desire to work together on tourism matters.
“China is a major tourism market for New Zealand having grown six-fold in the last decade to being our fourth largest tourism market. The signing of this arrangement shows that both parties are serious about making this important tourism relationship work.”
The Ministry of Tourism and Tourism New Zealand are also working with CNTA on the development of a formal emergency contact mechanism, which would enable timely information about incidents where a tourist, from either country, is missing, or suffers a serious or fatal injury, to be shared between officials of both countries.
It is hoped that the mechanism will enable officials to keep the families of victims fully informed of incidents and related developments, such as the results of investigations.
“China is a market that needs special attention so that our Chinese visitors leave New Zealand having had the best experience possible,” said Mr Salter. “Closer ties between our tourism organisations will help us achieve this goal.”
For further information please contact Martin Švehla– telephone (04) 474 2812, 021 969 626 or email martin.svehla@tourism.govt.nz.
ENDS
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