Canada pulls out all the stops to woo more Chinese tourists

A scene along the St. Lawrence River in Canada. The number of Chinese visitors is expected to further increase since China and Canada started issuing reciprocal multiple-entry visas from March 9. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Chinese outbound tourism to Canada surged nearly 29 percent to 450,000 visitors last year.

And it rose to more than 30 percent in the first two months of this year compared with the same period in 2014, the Canadian Tourism Commission says.

The number of Chinese visitors is expected to further increase since China and Canada started issuing reciprocal multiple-entry visas for business, travel and family visits from March 9, Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism Maxime Bernier says. The longest validity for such visas is 10 years.

And the ongoing weakening of the Canadian dollar against the yuan is enticing a stronger interest in the country among Chinese tourists, Bernier says.

Online travel giant Ctrip currently offers a nine-day excursion to Vancouver from Beijing for about 10,000 yuan ($1,600) from April to June.

The Canadian Tourism Commission's President and CEO, David Goldstein, says Chinese often travel to the country for the dual purpose of visiting relatives and enjoying tours.

The country will enhance efforts to cater to Chinese tourists' needs, he says.

And it has staged promotional programs targeting the country.

The commission released a short film featuring Taiwan model and actor Godfrey Gao presenting interesting experiences in Canada on March 31.

It focuses on urban life, food, wine, leisure, culture, arts, festivals, nature, wildlife and outdoor expeditions. It also features travel 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," managing director of the commission's China branch Derek Galpin says.