Jilin promotes tourism in Switzerland

Jilin Province in northeast China promoted its ice and snow tourism in Zurich, Switzerland in March.

The delegation, led by Li Jinxiu, Deputy Governor of Jilin, introduced to those in Switzerland’s tourism industry Jilin’s tourism resources, products and projects.

Gao Yanping, Chinese Consul General in Zurich, and Simon Bosshart, head of Switzerland Tourism Asia Pacific, spoke during the promotional event.

Jilin is the first Chinese province to promote its tourism in Switzerland under the China-Switzerland Year of Tourism program.

Physically far away from each other, Jilin and Switzerland are similar in latitudes and therefore tourism resources, but different in history and culture, which creates broad prospect for cooperation.

Li Jinxiu said that Switzerland, a paradise for ski enthusiasts around the world, has many good practices for Jilin to learn and there is huge potential for the two to cooperate on ice and snow-related industries.

Jilin, an up-and-coming star in ice and snow-related industries, has the biggest advantage in developing such industries in China.

President Xi Jinping visited Switzerland in January. During the visit, China and Switzerland launched the Year of Tourism, which generates unprecedented opportunities for cooperation between Jilin and Switzerland.

Li Jinxiu told participants in the event that Jilin, located in a latitude known for golden ice and snow resources, has first-rate ice and snow resources and the best ski resorts in Asia. As one of the world’s three power snow bases, Jilin is an ideal place for ice and snow sport. Jilin can meet the demand of ski lovers all over the world with the best ski facilities it has such as Wanda, Vanke and Beidahu ski resorts which all meet the requirements of hosting Winter Olympic Games.

The deputy governor expected the visit of the Jilin delegation to deepen Jilin's exchanges and cooperation with Switzerland on ice and snow resources, sport and culture, hoping that more Swiss people know about, visit and invest in Jilin.

Jilin pins high hopes on such cooperation and will work to realize win-win development.

Yang Andi, Director of Jilin Provincial Tourism Development Committee, gave an introduction about Jilin, including the province’s huge market, policy guarantee, and unique tourism resources.

Changchun Culture International Travel Agency and Changchun Nordic Ways Vasa Co., Ltd introduced Jilin’s ice and snow tourism products, Changchun Vasaloppet International Ski Festival and Yanbian Vatternrundan China International Biking Tourism Festival.

Changchun City, Jilin City and Changbai Mountain Administrative Committee publicized information about 16 projects inviting investors. The projects involves the construction of ski resorts and hot spring facilties.

An official in charge of the Economic Development Department of the Canton of Solothurn, introduced the cooperation between Switzerland and its cantons with China and other countries, hoping to cooperate with Jilin on ice and snow tourism and sport, double-track professional education and ice and snow machinery manufacturing.

A Swiss company shared its experience in keeping manufacturing of devices in pace with ice and snow tourism.

Jilin is expected to cooperate with the company to start device manufacturing.

Changchun Culture International Travel Agency and a Swiss company signed a Memorandum of Understanding for strategic cooperation.

Aside from the Zurich promotion, Li Jinxiu also led the delegation to Davos where they discussed region-based tourism, operation of ski resorts and safety of skiing with local counterparts.

Davos agreed to boost cooperation with Changbai Mountain and Changchun City by opening channels for exchanges in tourism, culture and sport, and exploring ways to set up an effective long-term cooperation mechanism.

The delegation also inspected CWA, a cable car manufacturer in Switzerland, and sent invitations to the Second China Jilin International Ice and Snow Tourism Expo held in Jilin in December.