China's culture, tourism showcased in NY

As part of its ongoing efforts to boost tourism, China participated in the largest travel show in the US on Saturday, ahead of the Spring Festival, showcasing a series of cultural and tourism initiatives to attract international visitors.

Chen Li, China's Consul-General in New York, attended the "Nihao! China" Tourism Promotion Reception at the New York Travel and Adventure Show, engaging with visitors and promoting China as a travel destination.

At the event, Chen distributed traditional Spring Festival red envelopes to visitors and wrote his New Year's wish on a wish tag, which he then hung on the event's wishing tree.

"I wish everyone good health in the new year," Chen said.

A golden wishing tree at China's tourism booth is decorated with New Year messages from visitors worldwide. Beneath it are red snake mascots which symbolize good fortune and festivity. Cultural and creative products from renowned museums in China, including the Ordos Museum and Shenyang Museum, are on display at the booth.

The travel show, newly launched in the US after the COVID-19 pandemic, marks China's second year of participation as part of its efforts to promote inbound tourism and attract more US visitors to explore China, Ma Yunfei, Director of the China National Tourism Office in New York, told reporters.

"This year, our exhibition is integrated with Chinese New Year celebrations and cultural tourism," Ma said. "More than 20 cultural enterprises from China are participating, allowing US audiences to gain a deeper understanding of China's cultural tourism."

"I work with a Chinese colleague, so I know Chinese New Year is almost here," Anvina Kukic told China Daily. She has never been to China, but it is on her "bucket list".

Randy Weiner visited China in 2006, where she explored Beijing, including the Great Wall. Since then, she has been thinking about visiting the country again, especially Shanghai.

"They are always building and modernizing. There's always something new. The food is great," Weiner told China Daily, saying the Chinese people welcomed her with open arms.

Tatyana Gorodetsky, a New York resident, has visited China twice, traveling to Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chongqing, Hong Kong and more. She is now looking to explore new places in China.

The World Travel and Tourism Council projects that China's domestic tourism revenue will rise 11 percent from 2019 levels in 2024, reaching an all-time high.

Amid expanded visa-free entry policies and a series of measures aimed at facilitating foreign travel to China, 20.12 million foreign nationals entered China visa-free in 2024, marking a 112.3 percent year-on-year increase, according to the National Immigration Administration.