More and more Chinese are visiting Canada thanks to eased travel restrictions and stronger yuan. (Photo : Reuters)
The number of Chinese tourists to Canada has increased by more than 30 percent in the first two months this year, a sharp rise from just 29 percent or 450,000 for the entire 2014, the Canadian Tourism Commission said on Wednesday.
The ongoing weakening of the Canadian dollar against the yuan is also eliciting a stronger interest in the country among Chinese tourists, Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism Maxime Bernier said.
Ctrip, one of China's largest travel companies, currently offers a nine-day excursion to Vancouver from Beijing for around 10,000 yuan ($1,600) from April to June.
Canadian Tourism Commission President and CEO David Goldstein said that Chinese tend to travel to the country for visiting relatives and enjoying tours.
Canada will enhance efforts to cater to the needs of Chinese tourists, he said.
The commission has earlier released a short film featuring Taiwan model/actor Godfrey Gao promoting interesting experiences in Canada. The film showcased the urban life, food, leisure, culture, arts, festivals, nature, wildlife, and other expeditions in the country, as well as travel options such as by train, car, and cruise liner.
"We hope the film can open the eyes of Chinese tourists, and satisfy their growing travel requirements and changing hobbies," said Derek Galpin, managing director of the commission's China branch.
Local Canadian authorities have also been developing tours aimed at Chinese.
Alberta's tourism bureau has introduced 35 routes for Chinese tourists this year, including those through Waterton Lakes National Park. Quebec has also launched a 14-night Snowbird Migration Cruise, which starts at Quebec City and ends at Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
With the increased influx of tourists, China's flight carriers are also preparing for more flights between China and Canada.
China Eastern has announced it will offer flights connecting Kunming, Shanghai and Vancouver starting June 26, while Air China is set to launch nonstop flights between Beijing and Montreal within this year.
Air travel takes about 10 hours, said Dai Yu, marketing director of Ctrip's tourism department.
"Our customers like to drive around the country to enjoy the colorful maples," Dai said.
