(March 13, 2017) Bologna City becomes a “Welcome Chinese” city. A memorandum of understanding to bring China closer to the capital of Emilia both from the touristic and economic and trade point of view was signed by the Mayor of Bologna, Virginio Merola, and the Ambassador of the PRC in Italy, Li Ruiyu. Bologna is the first Italian metropolitan city to have received the official Chinese Certification, “Welcome Chinese”, the prestigious government award that allows only to structures so recognized to enter the Chinese market directly through the support of the China Tourism Academy, a body of the Ministry the Chinese tourism, which supports the program and offers particular benefits for accreditation with major Chinese tour operators, in collaboration with China Central television (CCTV), the national television network, China Union Pay, the only credit cards issued in the China circuit. “In recent years, the number of Chinese tourists has risen steadily reaching several million travelers. Italy – Li Ruiyu said, China’s Ambassador to Italy – has become one of the largest destinations at European level, and with the Protocol , Bologna is set up as capital and European destination for Chinese tourists. ” 2016 global data show that the Chinese outbound tourism amounted to 122 million tourists, consumption increased to 109.8 billion dollars.” the signing of this protocol is an important step forward for the promotion and development of Chinese tourism in the territory of Bologna and its metropolitan area – said Virginio Merola, Mayor of Bologna – an important partnership that will allow Chinese tourists and investors to know the excellence of our territory and the strong economic base that distinguishes it. Our city has much to offer, major exhibitions and cultural events, but also a conscious management of the heritage and beauty of Bologna authenticity “. (Red)
