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APIA, Samoa, April 1-- The 2019 Year of Tourism for China and Pacific Island Countries was launched here at a grand ceremony in the capital of Samoa, with colored fireworks and wonderful cultural programs. Luo Shugang, China's minister of culture and tourism, read a congratulatory message extended by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the event at the ceremony. In a speech delivered at the opening ceremony, Fiame Naomi Mataafa, Samoa's acting prime minister, hailed the launch of the tourism year, noting that it is the direct outcome of the South Pacific Tourism Organization (SPTO)'s attendance of a high-level dialogue of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, capital of China in 2017. China-Pacific Tourism Year 2019 is a milestone achievement and offers a great opportunity for Pacific Island countries to showcase China what the Pacific Island countries have to offer with their stunning natural landscapes, sandy beaches, unique culture and friendly people, she said. "China-Pacific Tourism Year 2019 also reflects, how we as leaders of the region, have placed value on the thriving Asian outbound tourism markets particularly China with the world's largest outbound market of around 140 million visitors last year," she said. Increasingly, Chinese travellers are looking for new destinations and experiences and the Pacific island region is still an untapped destination. she added. Both SPTO Chief Executive Officer Christopher Cocker and Samoa Tourism Authority (STA) Chief Executive Officer Papalii Sonja Hunter made it clear that Pacific island nations, including Samoa, are ready to welcome Chinese tourists. | 
