Tourism from China promoted

Advertiser Staff

The Hawai'i Visitors & Convention Bureau and the Hainan Airline Group yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding in a move to solidify Hawai'i's foothold in the Chinese travel market.

The bureau and Hainan Airline, a domestic airline that also owns 10 hotels and two airports in China, will work together to promote and facilitate tourism from China to Hawai'i. This includes designating travel agencies in China to organize both general and targeted group visits to Hawai'i.

While China is the fastest-growing segment of Asian visitors to Hawai'i, said bureau president Tony Vericella, much of the market's success will rely on future visa relaxation.