Tourism Minister Hesham Zaazou discussed here Monday with China's Ambassador to Egypt Song Aiguo means of boosting Chinese tourism to Egypt in light of the government's approach to activate the tourism sector.

The meeting took up the importance of bilateral cooperation as well as joint preparations for the Afro-China festival through organizing cultural and artistic events aimed at promoting integration between civilizations.

Such events will bolster bilateral cultural and tourist ties, opening new vistas for mutual cooperation, the two sides agreed.

Meanwhile, Zaazou, called on Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) to resume its flights to Egypt.

The tourism minister expressed, in this regard, readiness to promote Chinese flights to Egypt.

Chinese tourism to Egypt has witnessed a notable increase of 87%, Zaazou said, adding that 115,000 Chinese tourists visited Egypt in 2015, compared with 61,700 in 2014.

For his part, the Chinese ambassador pointed out to the depth of Egyptian-Chinese relations, saying that he will raise the issue of resuming flights with Chinese authorities and the CAAC.

The ambassador, meanwhile, invited Zaazou to attend the first world conference on Tourism for Development, scheduled to be held in China in May, in cooperation with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Source : MENA