China, Thailand to Strengthen Tourism Cooperation

China and Thailand reached an agreement Saturday on strengthening cooperation in the tourism industry.

Pradech Phayakvichien, director of the Tourism Administration of Thailand, told a seminar here today that 800,000 Chinese visited Thailand in 1999, and China has become Thailand's third- largest tourist source.

Meanwhile, many Thai people have visited China, and Thailand has become a channel for Western tourists to enter China, he said.

He estimated that more than one million Chinese will travel to his country in 2001.

He said that Thailand will improve its tourism environment, and open more routes to attract Chinese visitors.

The seminar, sponsored by the Thai consulate in Shanghai, was held to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.



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