Harbin in the spotlight at the Ice & Snow Tourism press conference

The year of 2018 marks the China-EU Tourism Year. On October 30, the city of Harbin successfully held a press conference at the China Cultural Center in Brussels to showcase its many charming features to a European audience, active particularly in the field of tourism.

On October 30, the Harbin Ice & Snow Tourism Press Conference was held at the China Cultural Center in Brussels. This press conference was organized by the China Harbin Tourism and Development Commission, under the support of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Kingdom of Belgium, Wallonie Belgique Tourisme (WBT), China Cultural Center in Brussels and the Winter Games Association International (WGA). This conference welcomed around 100 guests gathering at the Center both from China and Europe, mostly active in the field of tourism.

Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang Province renowned for its ice festival and snowy winter, aims to attract as many European tourists as possible. YAN Honglei, Director of the China Harbin Tourism and Development Commission, voiced this message to Europe saying, “We would like to introduce you to Harbin’s unique all-season tourism resources and the annual Harbin International Snow and Ice Sculpture Festival. The 2022 Winter Olympics and China’s vigorous policy developing the ice and snow industry have ushered in a new economic growth point in Harbin, a northern city with high-quality ice and snow resources.” As a popular tourist destination, the city received 77.12 million tourists in 2017 and achieved a turnover of 117 billion yuan (about €14.8 billion), according to Ms. Yan. “Harbin has become the best destination for snow and ice tourism in China and surrounding countries,” she concluded.

Pierre COENEGRACHTS, Deputy Director General of Wallonie Belgique Tourisme (WBT) said that Wallonia warmly welcomed the arrival of Chinese tourists and he is proud that some local companies have even launched tailor-made products to adapt to the Chinese market, “Wallonia is willing to maintain close ties with Asia, especially with China,” he said. In his speech, Mr. Coenegrachts also highlighted the growing ties being developed between Belgium and China, wishing to “use the opportunities offered by the 2022 Olympic Winter Games to promote direct flights between Belgium and Harbin.”

LIU Qin, President of the Winter Games Association International (WGA), concluded this Conference with a sincere invitation extended to European guests: “The year of 2018 marks the China-EU Tourism Year. I invite you to experience the ice and snow tourism, combined with the special Chinese culture, in Harbin.” She added, “Our International Winter Sports Association hopes to provide more collaboration opportunities and communication platforms for the cooperation between China and Europe in the ice and snow industry through this promotion.”

The press conference was followed by a photo exhibition and a few promotional videos showcasing the city’s many tourist attractions.