STORY: We expect more direct flights between China and Spain in 2024:Turespana
DATELINE: Aug. 31, 2023
LENGTH: 00:01:34
LOCATION: Beijing
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the video interview with a Turespana representative in Beijing
2. SOUNDBITE (Spanish): MARIA LLINARES, Turespana representative in Beijing

STORYLINE:

As new direct flights from Hangzhou to Madrid and Shenzhen to Barcelona launched recently, a representative of the Spanish tourism agency Turespana in China has told Xinhua that more direct flights between the two countries can be expected in 2024 as demand in the Asian country for tourist visas to Spain continues to rise.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish): MARIA LLINARES, Turespana representative in Beijing
"We have a constant relationship with not only the airlines that are currently running direct flights but we also have contact with other airlines that are interested in opening new routes in 2024 and that we hope will materialize. We hope that the frequency of the direct routes that have opened is strengthened. Depending on how they evolve and on the demand, I understand that the goal of the airlines is to work towards daily flights on these existing routes.

It's still too early to say but what's true is that there has been significant incremental growth in demand for tourist visas, and that is the type of profile that we are working to attract. It is not only about tourism but also business. We dedicate our time to promoting tourism and connections for travelers but what's also important is the resumption of business trips by people who might also spend a few days on holiday in Spain.

It's also a chance for a mutual exchange of cultural knowledge that also encourages Spaniards to travel directly, for example, to Chongqing or Hangzhou or to do a tour of the south of China, apart from the work we do in promoting tourism in our country."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Beijing.
(XHTV)