Travel operators’ summit seen to boost Chinese, Muslim relations

NINGXIA – Over a hundred travel operators gathered here for the World Muslim Tour Agents Conference 2013 in a bid to promote tourism and further boost relations between China and Muslims all over the world.

Ningxia Autonomous Region Vice Governor Wang He Shan opened the ceremonies along with Egypt Assistant Minister Nasser Abdelaal last Saturday.

In a welcome reception for participants at the Shahu Hotel in Shizuishan, Wang expressed hope that the conference will promote deeper exchange between Ningxia and Muslim-populated countries in terms of tourism.

“Both the Chinese and people from the Arab and Muslim world enjoy rich history and culture. I hope that this event will carry out deeper exchanges for tourism,” said Wang, speaking through an interpreter.

According to Wang, the tourism industry has always been a pillar industry of this region.

Wang said the province is suitable for Muslims because it is home to a majority of the Muslim Chinese population in China. There are 20 million Muslims in China, with about two million based in Ningxia.

“Both China and Arab countries have rich tourism resources. This will pave way for better cooperation. We believe we will have a prosperous future (in this endeavor),” Wang added.

Boasting of a variety of adventure-packed tourism activities doubled with the ability to cater to the spiritual, cultural, traditional and other needs of Muslim travelers, Ningxia hopes to tap the Muslim community for its tourism industry.

Ningxia is promoting key cities such as Yinchuan, Zhongwei and Wuzhong as major tourism destinations “beyond the Great Wall.”

In response, Abdelaal expressed gratitude to the central government and Ningxia for making the event successful. The deputy minister of Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism dubbed the conference as a “critical way to connect the Chinese tour markets and Muslim Arab markets.”

Abdelaal, in his speech, also saw the important link of the aviation industry to tourism.

“I believe that tourism has close connections with the aviation industry,” he noted, adding that three connecting flights from Dubai to China have been recently established in anticipation of enhanced tourism and business relations between Arab nations and China.

Abdelaal also told Wang, China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) executives and other government officials and representatives of various countries including the Philippines who arrived for the Sept. 6 to 9 event, that China “echoes our inspiration.”

“You are like our big brother in the Third World... We are one with you,” he said.

“We hope to work to build up our home in this northwestern part of China,” he said.

The event is sponsored by the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) and the People’s Government of Ningxia Hui Administrative Region.

Three delegates from the Philippines – one each from the China Panorama Tourism Information Center, The STAR and the Inquirer – joined participants from Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Dubai, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, and other countries.

Ningxia boasts of a diversified culture and rich and distinctive resources because of its beautiful scenery, colorful cultural landscape and ethnic customs. Major tourism resources in Ningxia include two mountains and one river – Mount Helan, Mount Liupan and the Yellow River.