TIA Welcomes First Chinese Tour Group to US
Under New Government Agreement
WASHINGTON, DC, June 20, 2008. Travel Industry Association (TIA) President and CEO Roger Dow and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez today welcomed China National Tourism Administration Chairman Shao Qiwei and the first tour group from China to the United States under a bilateral travel agreement signed in December 2007. Under the new agreement, Chinese travel to the United States - where the average visitor spends approximately $6,000 per trip - is expected to skyrocket.
"This is a great day for the United States and China," said Dow. "Welcoming more Chinese visitors to the United States will increase understanding between our two countries and facilitate 'people-to-people' diplomacy. This is an important step in reversing the decline of overseas visitors to the United States since September 11, 2001"
Despite the weak dollar and a boom in worldwide international travel, two million fewer overseas travelers visited the United States in 2007 than in 2000. The decline has cost America nearly $140 billion in visitor spending, $22 billion in lost tax receipts and 230,000 lost jobs. Studies show that international travelers who have visited the United States are 74 percent more likely to have a favorable opinion of the country than those who have not.
The arrival of the inaugural Chinese tour group was celebrated at a gala reception at the Southwest Waterfront in Washington DC hosted by TIA's Dow and the National Tour Association's Chairman and CEO Bob Hoelscher and President Lisa Simon.
In March, TIA released a new report, "Emerging International Travel Markets: China," an in-depth profile of China's society, economy and long-haul travel market. The report was developed in partnership with The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Travel and Tourism Center at the University of South Carolina and the U.S. Department of Commerce. The report shows that the United States is one of the most common countries visited by mainland Chinese long-haul travelers and is also the most frequently cited dream destination for Chinese citizens.
For more information about the economic impact of travel, visit www.PowerofTravel.org.
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.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
