Shanghai promoted in New York

A visitor enjoys the images of Shanghai during a campaign promoting Shanghai's tourism launched in New York on Aug 23, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

Shanghai is taking center stage in the Big Apple.

Along with the hundreds of exchanges, visits and tourism promotions marking this year of China-US Tourism, a campaign promoting Shanghai was launched at Xinhua News Agency's North America bureau in New York on Tuesday.

"I've been very pleased to travel to the beautiful city many times, and I have to tell you that it is always a source of inspiration, always an exhilarating trip and I'm always discovering something new," said Fred Dixon, CEO of NY & Company, New York City's tourism bureau.

"As Shanghai is called the 'New York' of China, we would like to say New York is 'Shanghai' of the United States," Dixon said.

In 2015, 636,377 tourists from the US visited Shanghai, a 0.61 percent increase from 2014, according to Cheng Meihong, vice-chairwoman of Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration, who called the US an important inbound market source for the Shanghai tourism trade.

Targeting the huge potential of the North American market, a delegation led by Cheng introduced Shanghai's new attractions, such as Shanghai Disneyland, new additions to the skyline, new visa and tax policies and new direct air routes.

Making its international debut at the event was the original virtual-reality, high-definition music video Our Shanghai, staring actor Hu Ge with music by the up and coming bel canto band Vocal Force.

Meanwhile, sightseeing buses with Shanghai travel ads have been driving around New York City since mid August and will continue through Oct 9.

In addition, the Our Shanghai video will be played continuously at 164 bus shelters in New York from Sept 26 to Oct 23.

Touted as a shining example of China-US partnership, cooperation and mutual benefit, the Shanghai Disney Resort officially opened on June 16 of this year and is already attracting tens of thousands of visitors every day.

After eight years under construction, Shanghai Tower, the tallest building in China and the second-tallest in the world, has begun trial operation. In alliance with the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Jinmao Tower, and Shanghai World Financial Center in Lujiazui, Shanghai Tower is the crowning achievement of Pudong District's opening up and reform.

Since Jan 30, Shanghai has offered a 144-hour visa-free policy for transit passengers from 51 countries, including the US.

Additionally, Shanghai has been devoted to optimizing the tax refund process by providing a quick response channel and a 24/7 question-and-answer service. Since last July, overseas tourists have received a total of 10 million RMB ($1.5 million) in tax refunds, Cheng said.

To bring the two countries closer, six airlines have recently opened nine new direct routes between China and the US, seven of which are operated by Chinese airlines.

In March, China Eastern launched direct service between Shanghai and Chicago; in May, Hainan Airlines linked Shanghai with Boston and Seattle; in July, Delta connected Shanghai and Los Angeles; and Air China announced a new route to San Jose.

Cheng said, the bilateral tourism exchange between Shanghai and New York is one of the highlights and major achievements of the China-US tourism year.

Shanghai is dedicated to branding itself as a popular destination where modernity meets tradition and a land full of surprises ready to embrace tourists from all over the world, she said.