Now in its third year the WTM ChinaContact Forum will follow-up on industry experiences learned from the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing offering an interactive opportunity for discussion about how to develop business with China as a destination, service provider and tour operator.

With the support of VisitBritain, the China National Tourism Administration, Visit London, the Kunming Municipal Tourism Board and the Pacific Asia Travel Association, top experts from tourism bodies and travel companies intimately involved with the Chinese tourism agenda will meet at World Travel Market (WTM) on the 12th of November 2008 to share their case studies with delegates from around the world.

Since 1999, China has embarked on an unprecedented rate of growth within the travel industry both domestically and internationally. This rate is expected to remain stable at over 10% for the next 12 years, on course to make China the top tourist destination and tourism source market before 2020.

Speaking about the Chinese market ChinaContact Managing Director Roy Graff commented, "In many ways China is no longer an emerging market for tourism but an existing opportunity that requires diplomacy and cultural sensitivity to exploit. While this year presents many challenges - some expected and some not - it is also the beginning of a new phase in China's tourism development and growing sophistication of Chinese tourists.”

While the size of the market for travel products and services is potentially vast, generating real profits has remained an elusive goal. Some of the biggest challenges are the communication and cultural gaps, followed closely by the restrictive legal and financial policies still in place in the country.

To date 2008 has been a turbulent year for China paralleled by the mounting excitement for the Beijing Olympic Games and the tragic earthquake in the Western province of Sichuan. These events and other developments are having serious impact on the state of the tourism industry in the country.

Through forums and interactive panel discussions delegates will deepen their insight into China as a tourism market and destination. To further enhance the experience, a delegation of Chinese tourism officials and travel agents as well as travel trade media will be visiting during WTM. Networking opportunities between forum participants and the Chinese visitors are planned to maximise the benefits for both parties.

Focusing on the need for bi-lateral tourism development, the forum will re-visit and further explore themes from the inaugural conference three years ago as China begins to embrace its new status as a mainstream destination and sought after source market. With the recent addition of the US to the list of approved tourist destinations there is almost no limit to where Chinese citizens can travel.

Highlights include presentations from outbound Chinese tourism expert Professor Wolfgang Arlt on the impact of events on China’s tourism sector over the coming year, and from Rosita Yiu, Head of Asian Sales for Accor Hotels about the nuances of marketing to Chinese visitors. Inbound guest speakers include the Chairman of Kunming Tourism Board and Paul Lemon, General Manager of Sportsworld Beijing, the official ticketing agent for the Beijing Olympic Games, who will talk about his experiences on operating sport tourism services in an emerging market.