BEIJING, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- An agreement signed in Beijing Thursday will make it easier for Chinese tour groups to travel to Europe after May 1.
The agreement between the China National Tourism Administration and the European Union allows travel agents to handle visa applications for tour groups and to apply for a single European visa when visiting the nations of the EU.
Xinhua cites this agreement as the most extensive tourism package China has ever signed. A booming domestic tourist industry is already generating huge revenues, and the number of people traveling overseas is also on the rise.
Of the 15 EU members, 12 have signed the agreement. They include Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, The Netherlands, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. The other three members, Ireland, Denmark and England are reportedly working out a similar package with China.
