U.S. and Chinese Officials Welcome First-Ever Chinese Tour Groups to America

--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Travel Industry Association:

What: For the first time ever, Chinese leisure travelers are now able to visit America as part of tour groups. The opportunity for Chinese tour groups to visit the United States as leisure travelers became a reality in December 2007, when the United States and China signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The U.S.-China Welcome Gala Event is an industry celebration marking the inaugural tour of these Chinese travelers. Media are invited to attend the reception prior to the Gala Event to meet with officials and travelers from the tour groups.

Who:

U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez

U.S. Department of Commerce Under Secretary Chris Padilla

U.S. Department of Commerce Assistant Secretary William G. Sutton

China National Tourism Administration Chairman Shao Qiwei

Travel Industry Association President and CEO Roger Dow

National Tour Association Chairman and CEO Bob Hoelscher, CTP

National Tour Association President Lisa Simon, CTP

When: Thursday, June 19, 2008, at 5:45 p.m.

Where: Odyssey Cruise Boat at 600 Water Street, SW; Washington, D.C. 20024. Tents will be set up next to the cruise boat dock. IMPORTANT: Media must RSVP in advance. Photo ID and press credentials will be required on-site.

RSVP: Please respond with your full name and title ASAP to Catherine Prather at catherine.prather@NTAstaff.com or 859-226-4264. Security clearance required and only a limited number of media will be allowed to attend.

This gala event is hosted by the National Tour Association and the Travel Industry Association with high ranking guests of honor from both the U.S. and the Chinese governments. Please join us for this landmark occasion as we welcome this first group of leisure travelers from China and we recognize the coordinated efforts of the Departments of Commerce, State and Homeland Security.

The inaugural tour follows the signing of the MOU between the U.S. and Chinese governments to open the door to Chinese leisure group travel into the U.S. This is a momentous groundbreaking occasion for the United States and the economic growth of travel and tourism.

The National Tour Association is a trade organization for thousands of tourism professionals involved in the growth and development of the packaged travel industry. NTA members represent the most reliable and creative in the industry, with companies spanning 34 countries. The NTA forum is the place for industry standards and the source for growing tomorrow’s business today. Additionally, NTA’s Government Affairs works closely with Congress and the Administration to create a more positive travel experience for travelers around the globe. For customized and affordable travel packages, travelers turn to NTA. To learn more, please visit www.NTAonline.com.

The Travel Industry Association is the national, non-profit organization representing all components of the $740 billion travel industry. TIA's mission is to promote and facilitate increased travel to and within the United States. TIA is proud to be a partner in travel with American Express. For more information, visit www.tia.org.