American Express Travel, a world leading travel agency, has recently established its first presence in the western part of China through an alliance with the Sichuan branch of China International Travel Service (CITS), a major travel agency in China.

The joint venture between the US-based travel mogul, also a Fortune 500 company, and the CITS subordinate in Sichuan Province, southwest China, or Sichuan CITS Express Service Center, will be dedicated to exploring the tourism market in the western part of the nation and attracting more tourists from abroad to Sichuan.

Under the cooperative arrangement, Sichuan CITS has established business ties with more than 1,700 service partners in 130-odd countries around the world, thus enjoying the favorable prices and commissions the American company provides for its global suppliers.

Sichuan CITS Express Service Center has begun operation, and the American company has dispatched experienced experts to offer training service for the Sino-US joint venture, according to officials with Sichuan CITS.

Blessed with affluent tourism resources, Sichuan has several UNESCO world natural and cultural heritage sites, including Jiuzhaigou-Huanglong, Qingchengshan-Dujiangyan and Emeishan-Leshan's Giant Stone Buddha, and unique landscapes of snow-capped mountains and grasslands. Of the 120 state-level scenic spots in China, 15 are located in Sichuan.

American Express Travel has clinched cooperative deals with 15 subordinates of CITS, according to company sources.