Society
Shanghai Expo shines at tourism show in Paris
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-03-19 14:21
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PARIS - A workshop of tourism products related to the Shanghai Expo 2010 and its emblematic Chinese Pavilion put the upcoming event in the spotlight of the 2010 International Tourism Show, which opened here Thursday.
The China National Tourism Bureau (CNTB), an exhibitor at the show, decorated the workshop with photos and posters featuring the Shanghai Expo, while the red Chinese Pavilion, the largest among the Asian representatives, stood out prominently in the 1,700-square-meter exhibition area.
The CNTB hosted 13 French travel agencies that sell special products related to the Shanghai Expo, which will take place from May 1 to October 31.
Many French agencies have already developed special products for the Shanghai Expo, Xue said.
Guillaume, a seasoned traveler, has visited China twice, and he certainly won't miss the World Expo this year.
"Although I have been to Shanghai, I am looking forward to going there another time. Because this time, I cannot only visit the interesting pavilions, but also take the chance to see changes in Shanghai," the Frenchman said, clutching many brochures on China.
"Products about the Shanghai Expo are our major sellers this year. We have already had bookings on that," said Clemence Bloc, product seller for a French travel agency that specializes in promoting tourist products on China.
Many tourism agencies aim to profit from the Shanghai Expo to make up for the losses they suffered during the economic downturn last year.
According to the UN World Tourism Organization, China has ranked among the world's top international tourism destinations as well as a source country.
The annual International Tourism Show in Paris is among the leading professional exhibitions around the world.
Over 500 hundred travel agencies, managers of leisure centers, transport companies and municipal promoters representing different regions from across the world are attending the four-day event. This year's tourism show is expected to attract at least 100,000 visitors.
