Direct air service between Moscow, Guangzhou to increase tourist flows between Russia, China - Chinese official
MOSCOW. March 22 (Interfax) - A direct nonstop air service between Moscow and Guangzhou, the capital city of China's major province Guangdong, will be launched by China Southern Airlines starting in June, Guangdong Governor Rao Yofang announced on Friday at a presentation of tourism opportunities in the region.
Tourist flows between the province and Russia are small so far "and this situation must be amended," she said.
"A large potential is available to enlarge mutual tourist flows. A direct air service will play a role in this, alongside the introduction of 72-hour visa-free stays in the province if a transit flight runs via Guangdong Airport, and also plans to hold an international tourist fair and a tourism festival in August and September," she said.
Guangdong was visited by more than 82,000 Russian citizens last year (mostly on business trips), up 50% against 2011. Russia was visited by about 10,000 residents of the province, up 18%, according to official Chinese statistics.
The share of Russian tourists is minuscule compared to the 38 million tourists who visited Guangdong last year. About 50 million trips to Chinese regions and other countries from the province are registered each year.
