CRI听力:Chinese airline company helps boost Sino-African tourism cooperation

A Chinese airline is making a contribution to boosting China-Africa cooperation in tourism during its process of opening up aviation markets in Africa.

On the first Wednesday of August in 2015, a China Southern Airlines Airbus 330 took off from south China's Guangzhou, headed for Kenya's capital, Nairobi, marking the first direct flight from China to Africa by a Chinese airline.

Looking back over the several years that have passed since that first flight, Wu Weijun, the general manager of the Nairobi office of China Southern Airlines, says that the opening of that air route played an important role in boosting tourism and trade between China and Kenya, as well as other east African countries.

"Since that flight was launched, China Southern Airlines has been committed to the construction of the 'Belt and Road Initiative.' To boost tourism and trade between China and Kenya, the airline has made efforts to improve its tourism offering, so as to guarantee passengers a pleasant travel experience. We have also tried to open up local markets and improve the airline's flight networks in Africa through cooperation with the Kenya Tourism Board and other travel agencies," says Wu.

The China-Africa tourism market has also undergone important changes, with a broader range of tourists from China visiting Africa.

Observers expect the number of travelers will continue to grow, given the region's natural attractions.

"10 years ago, most Chinese tourists visiting Africa were either from the capital or from the coastal regions; but now, tourists from all parts of China are trying to visit Africa. The visitors can feel that it has a well maintained natural environment, since Kenya attaches great importance to nature conservation," says Li Wanxin, a member of Kenya China Tourism Association.

China is currently among Kenya's top five sources of tourists.

In 2017, 69,000 Chinese tourists travelled to Kenya, accounting for 5.5% of the overseas tourists visiting the country.

Betty Ichan, the regional marketing manager of the Kenya Tourism Board, says that the visits by Chinese tourists have been positive for Kenya's economy.

"According to the WTO, China currently ranks the highest number of outbound travelers in the world. By attracting Chinese tourists, we can build our economy. When the Chinese come here, our hotels benefit, Kenyans get jobs, so it's a whole (coupling) effect on the Kenyan economy," says Ichan.

The Kenya Tourism Board is aiming to attract 100,000 Chinese tourists to the country this year.

At the same time, China Southern Airlines is taking steps to attract tourists from east African nations to visit China.

The airline and Kenya Airways have reportedly agreed on a code share arrangement, so that tourists from Kenya will have better access to Chinese destinations.