Chongqing – From May 26 to 31, the “European Travel Agents Tour to China” event was held in Chongqing, welcoming 40 travel agents from France and Spain. These delegates arrived by direct flights from Paris and Madrid to discover the rich cultural offerings of Chongqing.
Travel agents visited Wulong Three natural bridges. (Photo/Event organizer)
Organized by the International Exchange and Cooperation Bureau of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and hosted by the Chongqing Municipal Culture and Tourism Development Commission, the event aimed to take advantage of visa-free entry and simplified payment processes. This initiative aims to boost European tourism in China, taking advantage of direct flights between Chongqing and major European cities such as Paris and Madrid.
During their week-long stay in Chongqing, the travel agents visited important sites such as the UNESCO-listed Dazu Rock Carvings; Wulong Karst, a world natural heritage site; and popular tourist attractions like Youyang Taohuayuan Scenic Area and Gongtan Ancient Town.
Travel agents visited Liangping District. (Photo/Event organizer)
They also explored trendy spots such as Jiefangbei Shopping District, Chongqing Grand Theater and Chongqing Zoo, and enjoyed a night cruise on the Yangtze River to marvel at Chongqing's vibrant nightlife.
Agents attended live performances including the films “Wulong Impression” and “Dazu Rock Carvings” as well as traditional bonfire festivals in the ancient city of Youzhou, providing a deep dive in the cultural heritage of Chongqing.
They also tasted local specialties such as Chongqing Hot Pot, Chongqing Noodles and Tujia Eight Bowls, discovering the unique and spicy flavors of the region.
Many delegates expressed their admiration for Chongqing. Véronique Uhrich, product manager of Parfums Du Monde, France, said: “The city is beautiful; I particularly like nature, and the rock carvings of Dazu Baoding Mountain in Dazu District left a deep impression on me. After returning, I plan to organize a group tour in Chongqing and explore the development of new products such as family tours and elderly-friendly tours.
Antonio Luis Teuero Fenton of the Spanish Travel Agency said: “I love Chongqing; it's a fantastic city with a wonderful climate and friendly people. The food was amazing and we enjoyed it very much. But overall, it’s the culture here that stands out. “
“We are very happy to be in Chongqing and hope that more Spaniards will come to visit China. It is important that Spain and China understand each other because we are friendly countries,” he added.
Every aspect of Chongqing left a strong impression on the visitors, who also attended an international travel promotion meeting at the Chongqing International Culture and Tourism Window. This event facilitated one-on-one business discussions between delegates and local tourism businesses, exploring potential collaboration opportunities.
The international travel promotion meeting will be held at the Chongqing International Culture and Tourism Window. (Photo/Event organizer)
Participants praised Chongqing's rich tourism resources and the attractiveness of visa-free policy and direct flights. They expressed their intention to design and promote new travel routes for Chongqing, using direct flights from Paris and Madrid as a gateway and expanding to surrounding areas of China.
This event builds on previous promotional efforts, including the “Nihao! China” in France and the “Nihao! Chongqing” in Madrid. This is part of broader efforts to promote cultural and tourism exchanges between China and Europe.
Meanwhile, the Chongqing Municipal Culture and Tourism Development Commission, together with the Chongqing Airport Group and several airlines, invited travel agents and media representatives from Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, India , Jordan, Egypt, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Australia and Macau to Chongqing for similar promotional activities.
(Han Xi and Li Tao, as interns, also contributed to the report)
