Leaders from the United States and China on Friday announced the U.S.-China Tourism Year for 2016, a new initiative that celebrates the recent reciprocal extension of visa validity and supports increased travel and tourism exports.
Partnering under the framework of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade, the two sides will work together to expand and shape U.S.-China travel and tourism, and strengthen the bond between our two peoples.
Throughout the year, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the China National Tourism Administration, in collaboration with Brand USA and other partners, will design and execute a year of events and activities that will promote and further open travel between the United States and China, expand market access, and advance initiatives to ensure a quality visitor experience for increasing numbers of travelers to and from both nations.
Increased travel and tourism also requires dynamic, modern aviation systems, capable of supporting increased passenger and cargo traffic. Both governments will continue efforts to develop aviation policies, institutions and services to ensure the system adapts to meet the needs for both immediate and long-term growth.
China was the number two country for visitor spending to and within the United States in 2014 with an estimated US$23.8 billion spent on travel and tourism. China accounted for 2.9% of total international arrivals in the United States in 2014, with an estimated 2.2 million travelers (a 21% increase over 2013).