March

17

Bologna becomes the first city to receive the Certification

by Welcome Chinese

categories Activities Report Certifications

tags Bologna China China Tourism Academy Chinese tourists Dorina Bianchi Emilia Romagna Italian destination Italy MiBACT tourism travel Virginio Merola Welcome Chinese

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Bologna and the Emilia-Romagna region have always been a popular destination for European travelers to Italy. On March 10th, the metropolitan area of Bologna, with its more than one million inhabitants, was recognized by the China Tourism Academy as the first “Welcome Chinese Destination” city in Italy.

Mr. Virginio Merola, Mayor of Bologna, and Mr. Li Ruiyu, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Italy, signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU). Representing the Italian government was Mrs. Dorina Bianchi, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Tourism.

Mr. Merola acknowledged the Certification by saying that "the protocol signed with the China Tourism Academy represents an important step forward for the development of Chinese tourism to Bologna's metropolitan area. Through this partnership, investors and tourists from China will be able to discover the excellences of our territory."

While remarking upon the need for simpler visa policies, Ambassador Li confirmed the government in Beijing’s support for Welcome Chinese. He added that "Today, Bologna puts itself forward as a primary European destination for Chinese tourists. We express the hope that more and more operators from within the Italian tourism industry will be involved in the process of obtaining the Welcome Chinese Certification."

Mrs. Bianchi highlighted the opportunity to create partnerships between Italian and Chinese UNESCO World Heritage sites: "Both Italy and China are committed to fostering stronger ties based on consolidated cultural connections. Today’s protocol is one that I hope more Italian cities will follow. Inbound tourism from China represents a key asset and the “Italian way of life” is truly inspirational for Chinese."

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Recent Comments

Commented by Bill Frankish, 29.08.2017

We at the Candlewood Suites Calgary Airport North, closely located to the Calgary airport YYC, have been certified by the China Tourism Academy as having reached the JADE STANDARD of "Welcome Chinese" Certification. As such we greet each guest with a special Welcome envelope with Chinese information on our extended stay hotel. Guests receive slippers, tea, and have access to kettles and rice cookers at no charge. Some items are available in our little convenience store called The Cupboard, and there is a Chinese Super Market about 2 kilometers away which has a full selection of food items, commonly found in China, including live fish. Also at the same shopping area, an authentic Chinese Restaurant called The T. Pot , China Bistro From our location we have easy access to main highways to take you to Banff National Park, or the Royal Tyrrell Museum, an excellent Dinosaur museum. Candlewood Suites is an excellent location with cooking facilities which provides a great home base as you travel to various attractions in the area.