Vice Chairman Du Yili Meets New Zealand Friends

On February 25, CNTA Vice Chairman Du Yili met the New Zealand delegation led by Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples.

Vice Chairman Du said that New Zealand was one of the first destinations of Chinese tourist groups and the two countries were witnessing more and more exchanges in tourism and culture sectors. Prime Minister John Key of New Zealand has paid two visits to CNTA and showed great interest in deepening bilateral tourism cooperation. Mr. Du said in addition to its spectacular natural landscape, the distinctive Maori culture added fuel to the appeal of New Zealand to Chinese tourist, built up their experiences and made the country one of the favorite overseas destinations of Chinese.

Mr. Du pointed out that in the next stage, competent authorities of the two countries should extend the cooperation scope to bring more fights, simplify visa formalities, enhance market research, support cultural exchanges between the youth, facilitate industrial cooperation and accelerate training of tour guides.

Mr. Pita Sharples applauded the suggestions on enhanced cooperation. He said that Maori culture and Chinese culture shared similarities and he personally had paid three visits to China and was affectionate to this land. He wished the two countries could intensify cooperation in culture, economics and trade and tourism sectors and make more efforts to build up the tie in between.

Representatives of New Zealand embassy in China, Maori Affairs Ministry, Maori Culture and Tourism Promotion Bureau, and CNTA Department of Tourism Promotion and International Liaison attended the meeting.