To enhance collaboration with local tourism authorities across the UK and actively promote the “Nihao, China” inbound tourism campaign, Director Zhang Li of China National Tourist Office London undertook a successful working visit to Yorkshire from 4th to 6th December at the joint invitation of Visit York and Visit Leeds.
During the visit, Director Zhang Li held friendly discussions with Samantha Hunt, Director of Visit York, Belinda Eldridge, Head of International Relations at Leeds City Council, and Claire Heap, Director of Visit Leeds. The discussions centred on promoting tourism exchanges between China and UK, enhancing the visibility of tourism brands, and attracting more Chinese visitors. Both sides engaged in in-depth exchanges and reached a consensus on a series of collaborative initiatives.
In addition to the discussions, Director Zhang Li also conducted field visits to several iconic cultural and tourist sites in Yorkshire, including the internationally renowned Castle Howard, Harewood House, and major attractions within the city of York. Through these visits, he gained a more comprehensive understanding of Yorkshire’s rich historical and cultural heritage and its tourism appeal. He praised Yorkshire’s significant role in the international tourism market.
Director Zhang Li noted that the visit deepened his understanding of the diverse tourism resources across the UK and offered valuable insights into how local tourism authorities balance market expansion with the development and conservation of cultural and heritage resources. This experience fosters greater mutual understanding and paves the way for exploring future avenues for enhanced cooperation and exchange.
Looking ahead, China National Tourist Office London will continue to act as a bridge, using the “Nihao, China” inbound tourism campaign as a platform to facilitate partnerships between Chinese provinces and British local tourism authorities. Efforts will be made to explore ways to strengthen friendly exchanges and cooperation between local governments in China and the UK through tourism promotion. By leveraging tourism as a key driver, the aim is to foster closer ties between the people of China and the UK, contributing to the deepening of friendship between two countries.
