China's first tourist group to Hungary sets out ( 2004-01-21 08:45) (Xinhua)
Led by tourist guide Zhao Huairu, 17 Chinese tourists set out from Beijing
Tuesday to Hungary. They will spend their last day of China's goat year on board
and welcome the new monkey year in central Europe.
This is the first tourist group after Hungary gained the authorized
destination status (ADS) on November 1, 2003.
Organized by the China Travel International (CTI), the group will arrive in
Budapest via Amsterdam. Due to the lack of direct flights from Beijing to
Budapest, the cost of air tickets occupiedhalf of the trip fee of around 16,500
yuan (some 2,000 US dollars),said Guo Yimei, an official with CTI.
Although the cost is quite expensive, according to experts, many consumers
still hoped to register for the trip. This indicated China's outbound tourism
market was maturing.
The launching of the first group marked the new period of bilateral tourism
exchanges, said Hungarian ambassador to China Mihaly Bayer.
Lying in the heart of Europe, the nation is divided by the blueDanube river.
The enchanting natural landscape and a prolonged history with rich culture
enabled Hungary to become a holiday venue in Europe, said Robert Vertes, a
Hungarian tourism official.
"Tourism exchanges between two nations should be two-way," saidGu Xiaoyuan,
deputy director of the Beijing Tourism Bureau. "We welcome Hungarian tourists to
China also. Next month, we will hosta Hungarian tourist delegation to Beijing,"
he said.