In an apparent political boycott, China’s permitted list of international destinations for tour groups has omitted Canada, despite acquiring the approval by mainland Chian tour groups and travel agents to reserve post-pandemic travel to countries such as Japan, United States, Australia and South Korea.
Canada’s president and CEO of Tourist Industry Association Beth Potter informs, that it’s a hit to the tourism organization owners that have had a few rough years due to the pandemic restrictions.
The verdict to omit Canada from the list that was released on August 10th, was in retaliation to the current political pressure between Beijing and Ottawa, the Chinese Embassy in Canada informed.
The Chinese Embassy in a statement to CTV news wrote, recently Canada has recurrently glorified the so-called “Chinese interference” and extensive and biased anti-Asian acts and words are increasing significantly in Canada. The Embassy further stated that the Chinese government assigns great importance in defending the legitimate rights and safety of Chinese citizens overseas and request that they can travel in a friendly and safe environment.
China is aware its citizens transmit economic weight, as tourists from mainland China spend in excess to tourists from any other country when abroad. In 2019, US$225 billion was spent by the Chinese tourists around the world, with estimated 60 percent of the that figure accounted for tour groups.
These tours in the past contributed tens of thousands of tourists from China to experience popular attractions like Niagara Falls and Banff national Park each year.
Mayor of Niagara Falls, Jim Diodati informed CTV news, the magnificent site is on top of the list of places they want to visit, and urge the Canadian government to archive a diplomatic solution with Beijing. He believes that its mainly political, and should be fixed through political means.
According to statistic Canada, a record 757,000 Chinese tourists visited Canada in 2018, and spent C$2 billion.
Canada hope that China will include them when they update its approval travel list, however it is noted that its members are formulating alternatives. Canadian tourist industry may have to look at other markets in order to fill the Chinese gap.
