ITB Berlin News 2019 - Day 1 Edition

68 REGION ASIABROUGHT TO

68 REGION ASIABROUGHT TO YOU BY UNWTO: 2% GROWTH IN INTERNATIONAL VISITORS IN CHINA IN FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 2019 © FVA China © FVA China Mainland China, the region’s largest destination recorded a 2% growth in the first three quarters of 2018, according to the UNWTO Barometer. The opening of the Hong- Kong- Zhuhai-Macau Bridge in October 2018 is expected to enhance connectivity and boost tourist flows between the three cities of the Greater Bay Area. In terms of tourism earnings, China recorded a 30% increase up to September, rebounding strongly from a decline in 2017 as a weaker Yuan has made the destination more affordable Sichuan Buddha, Leshan Jiu zhaigou National Park Where tourism and culture go hand in hand China’s new Ministry of Culture and Tourism brings both even closer together ITB BACK IN CHINA FOR THIRD TIME IN MAY 2019 Riding on the success of last year’s edition, ITB China, set to take place from 15 to 17 May in Shanghai, and the China Tourism Association (CTA) renewed their strategic partnerships. CTA’s engagement in ITB China 2019 will include numerous marketing activities to mutually promote each other as well as to enhance business opportunities and raise global awareness for the Chinese travel industry ITB BERLIN NEWS • Wednesday 6 th March 2019 When people think about China, the first things that come to mind are Beijing with the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, Xi’an with the terracotta Army, the Yangtze or Shanghai as a modern megacity – or perhaps the rice terraces in Guangxi. But China’s National Tourism Administration wants to show visitors to ITB Berlin that China is more than that. Today, China is experiencing an entirely new technological era. The four major “modern Chinese inventions” voted by foreign students in China are high-speed rail, Alipay, dockless shared bicycles and online shopping. Besides the main route Beijing – Xi’an – Yangtze – Guilin – Shanghai, the new booming region, Hunan Province, hometown of Konfuzius, Shandong Province and winter wonderland Jilin province, as well as the Silk Road, are under the spotlight. “China and its more than 30 provinces stand for diversity; each province has unique sights and highlights to offer”, explains Chen Hongjie, the new Director, Tourist Office of the VR China in Frankfurt. Tourism along the Silk Road is steadily growing – places such as Xi’an, which is the starting point of the Silk Road, Qinghai or Gansu represent a different side of China. Here, one can experience camel rides in the desert, oases like the crescent moon lake in Dunhuang and ancient Buddhist art like in the Mogao Grottes. Furthermore, the Silk Road has a special meaning for Chinese culture. Besides the trade of goods, it also enabled the exchange of culture and values between Central Asia and China. Hunan and Hainan effectively are big draw cards at ITB Berlin, as with more and more people visiting China, travellers also start exploring provinces “off the beaten path”. Hunan’s Zhangjiajie National Park, which inspired the scenery of Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster Avatar and hosts the longest glass bridge worldwide as well as the highest outdoor elevator, is a destination sure to leave visitors in awe. Hainan, the “Hawaii of China”, is, says Chen Hongjie, so much more than just an island with beautiful beaches and great weather: “Recently Hainan province unveiled plans aimed at building the tropical island into a world-class medical tourism hub, combining high-end medical tourism with characteristic Chinese healthcare”, he added. EACH PROVINCE HAS UNIQUE SIGHTS AND HIGHLIGHTS TO OFFER “Tourism and culture in China go hand in hand – since last year we have the new Ministry of Culture and Tourism in China, bringing the two fields together and connecting them even more”, explains Mr Chen, adding, “We’re planning on taking promotions to a new level and thus to inspire more people to come and experience the diverse cultural landscape of China.” As the biggest and most important trade fair of the tourism industry ITB is of crucial importance for the Chinese tourism authority. This year they are coming with a delegation of around 100 persons from China to attend the fair and promote the “Beautiful China” campaign, as well as reconnecting and catching-up with partners, journalists and travellers alike Hall 26c / Stand 314 www.itb-berlin-news.com

BROUGHT TO YOU BY ASIA REGION 69 BEING WITH NATURE IN SRI LANKA The best way to catch a glimpse of wildlife and nature is from Sri Lanka’s National Parks; home to 92 types of mammals (16 endemic) such as the elephant, leopard, sloth bear, sambur, spotted dear, mouse and barking deer, porcupine, ant-eater, civet, giant squirrel, and monkeys; macaque, purple-faced leaf monkey and grey langur. THIS IS THE ULTIMATE ACCOLADE FOR SRI LANKA John Amaratunga Hon. Minister of Tourism Development, Wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs of Sri Lanka With 12 National Parks and 52 Sanctuaries that account for 12% of Sri Lanka’s land area, the nation is truly a startling multiplicity of physical features and wildlife. Regardless of what one’s interests may be, book a tour around Sri Lankas’s National Parks and witness a variety of wildlife from one part of the country to the other. For the more adventurous, experience killer falls and chilling rapids over frothywhite icy waters in Kitulgala, Sitawaka Ganga and Kotmale Ganga. With two monsoons a year, these are the wettest parts of the country So Sri Lanka campaign launched at ITB Berlin Lonely Planet designates paradise nation as number one to visit in 2019 Tourism has been growing steadily in Sri Lanka over the past decade. We started by asking John Amaratunga, Hon. Minister of Tourism Development, Wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs of Sri Lanka, to tell us more. cheaper flights the whole world is now our marketplace and we will make sure that our presence is felt globally. Hall 5.2a / Stands 107, 119, 120 Arrivals which stood at 450,000 in 2009 are expected to rise to three million by the end of this year. This rapid growth in a matter of a decade has resulted in a complete transformation of the industry from a sleepy, laid back sun, sea and sand destination to the vibrant, multifaceted destination that we are known to be today. Our core tourism product of sun and sea has now evolved in to an experiential offering complemented by so many other options such as culture, history, scenic, adventure, culinary and wellness experiences among others. There is so much to do, so much to see and so much going on that even the most fastidious traveller will be spoilt for choice. Sri Lanka has been designated as the number one country to visit in 2019 by Lonely Planet. This is the ultimate accolade for Sri Lanka. What “kinds” of tourism are emerging as sweet spots? Even as we speak the final arrangements are being made for the globally acclaimed Ironman marathon event which is being held in Sri Lanka for the second consecutive year. World surfing events are also lined up to be held later this year. So, sports tourism is definitely gaining traction in addition to Sri Lanka’s growing reputation as a fantastic destination for wellness tourism. The other high growth segment is adventure tourism which is seeing unprecedented growth. MICE tourism is also growing year on year. How are promotional activities being developed on a global scale? All our promotional activities around the world will be anchored on the So Sri Lanka campaign that is to be launched here. The thrust of the campaign will be directed at our key source markets namely India, China, United Kingdom, France, Germany and Russia. However promotional activities will be carried out on a less intense level in many of the other markets. With faster travel times due to direct connectivity and How important is ITB Berlin as a platform to get your message out to travel professionals around the world? ITB Berlin is undoubtedly the biggest and most influential travel fair in the world. Everybody who’s somebody in the global tourism trade is at ITB and therefore it is the ideal platform for us to reach out to the world. Sri Lanka has been participating at ITB almost since its inception and we have seen it grow from strength to strength over the years and we have been a part of its success story. This is why we didn’t have a second thought in selecting ITB as the platform of choice for the launch of our promotional campaign Hall 5.2a / Stands 107, 119, 120 ITB BERLIN NEWS • Wednesday 6 th March 2019