GREATER international attention has fallen upon Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi province, since the Xi’an Silk Road International Tourism Expo (XSRITE) – taking place from August 26-28 this year – was launched in 2014.
This year some 38 countries and 150 international exhibitors are participating in XSRITE with 600 local and international co-exhibitors, up from last year’s figure of 300-plus.
Sri Lanka, which crosses the Silk Road, is this year’s partner country, while Indonesia, whose sea lanes were part of the maritime route, is the event’s gold sponsor.
Edward Liu, group managing director of Conference & Exhibition Management Services (CEMS), a co-organiser of XSRITE, said a high-level pre-event reception will be held and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Tourism and other regional tourism dignitaries will be attending.
New destinations will be showcased there and the China National Tourism Administration is supporting the event by inviting between 60 and 80 international buyers.
“Another 300 local buyers, 200 from Shaanxi and the others from elsewhere in China are expected to attend,” said Liu.
“XSRITE will take up two halls and 25,000m2 of space this year with some 20,000 products on sale. It will also include the new co-located 5,000m2 Spa Week event, being organised by the Shaanxi Province Spa Tourism Association, which was set up last year.
“Xi’an has witnessed a lot of international tourism growth and one major development is the launch of direct flights on United Airlines from San Francisco,” he added.
Launched in May, the thrice-weekly flight is the first nonstop trans-Pacific service for Xi’an. The flight is also expected to boost trade and collaboration opportunities between China and the US.
