Intl travel fair offers unbeatable opportunities to attendees

The Guangzhou International Travel Fair 2018, which has brought together more than 1,000 companies from 53 countries and regions across the world, began in Guangzhou on March 1 and will run until March 3.

The travel fair, now in its 26th consecutive year, is among the most prominent in China. This year's event has an exhibition area of 36,000 square meters, making it 26 percent larger than last year.

There are many new pavilions and booths from countries such as Poland, Australia, New Zealand, Tanzania and Rwanda. Panama, a country boasting many appealing tourist attractions such as historic old cities and beautiful canals, was invited to serve as the guest country of honor for the three-day event. The Central American country garnered much attention with a unique pavilion adorned with many distinctive elements such as palm trees and colorful rattan chairs.

Two dancers from Panama wearing traditional costumes perform at the fair. [Photo/ycwb.com]

A special tourism culture exhibition hall was set up at the event, offering visitors a series of cultural events such as a Cantonese tea culture exhibition featuring exquisite local delicacies as well as traditional wedding costumes and a bridal sedan chair.

Every year the travel fair includes many discounted travel packages from both domestic and overseas travel agencies which are always popular among visitors. This year, many travel agencies are offering the chance to watch a football game in Russia, which will host the 2018 FIFA World Cup in June this year. Prices range from 17,999 yuan ($2,834) to 79,999 yuan ($12,598).

An exotic dance is performed at the 2018 Guangzhou International Travel Fair on March 1. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

Some overseas travel agencies also unveiled travel products specifically targeting Chinese visitors, such as the highly popular “Ultimate Island” travel package rolled out by the French La Reunion Island which combines spectacular natural landscapes and outdoor adventures.

According to the La Reunion tourism bureau, the island saw more than 10,000 inbound visitors from China in 2017, after the island opened a direct airline from Guangzhou in February last year. China has been a major boon to the island’s tourism industry, and the number of Chinese tourists continues to grow.

On March 1, a special hotel alliance was formed at the fair, which aims to assist Chinese citizens looking to travel in China or abroad in selecting the best and most comfortable hotels. More than 100 hotels from 30 cities across the world have become members of the Lingnan International Hotel Alliance, and there are plans to increase that figure to 1,000 within the next three years.

Visitors inquire about trips to La Reunion Island on March 1 at the island's booth. [Photo/Chinanews.com]