Pacific Delegation at the China International Travel Mart

23 November 2018, Suva, FIJI – For the first time ever a representative from the South Pacific, Hon. Tuitai Tura – Associate Minister for Culture and Tourism from the Cook Islands was part of the officiating delegates that opened this year’s China International Travel Mart 2018 (CITM) in Shanghai, China.

“We are delighted that the Pacific was recognised and was a part of the delegation that officiated in the opening which is a step towards strengthening our relationship with China, the world’s largest source market of outbound tourists” said SPTO CEO, Mr Chris Cocker.

Mr. Tuitai Tura led the South Pacific Tourism Organization delegation that met with a high level delegation from the Peoples Republic of China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, headed by Mr. Yu Qun to discuss possible areas of cooperation in tourism through the China Pacific Tourism Year 2019. The delegation included the SPTO Chair Lady, SPTO CEO and senior Tourism officials from its member countries of Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Tahiti, Tonga, Niue, Vanuatu and Cook Islands.

“Our delegation also took the opportunity to facilitate meetings during the exhibition at the CITM, in an effort to further enhance cooperation and development in the field of tourism and culture, as well as establish new networks within the Chinese market” said Mr Cocker

In addition to the high level meetings, the SPTO also successfully organised a South Pacific Islands exhibition at the CITM which was held at the New Shanghai International Expo Center in Shanghai. Member countries that exhibited were Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Tahiti, Tonga, Vanuatu, Cook Islands and Niue who participated for the first time. The SPTO has been exhibiting at the CITM for the past 5 years and this has been made possible through the kind support of its member, the People’s Republic of China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

“CITM provides great opportunities for our participating NTOs to conduct business to business (B2B) meetings as well as market and promote new products, new developments, create awareness and educate Chinese travellers on Pacific Island country profiles and new destinations such as Niue. The overall objective is to increase motivation of Chinese travel partners to sell more Pacific Islands packages and enhance the visibility of the South Pacific Islands brand in China” said Mr Cocker.

The two leading Chinese destinations, Palau and Fiji registered a combined share of 73.4% of the total arrivals from this market, SPTO hopes to expand further relations into China in the coming months.

ABOUT CITM 2019
CITM China International Travel Mart is a fair for the tourism market and offers ideas and concepts for travel in Asia. Whether travel agencies, hotels, airlines or tour operators, everything revolves around the issue of tourism in Asia. In addition, firms in the various workshops and seminars can expand business contacts.

CITM is a 3-day event included both trade B2B meetings and consumer day that brings experts and travellers from across China.