The Canadian government, the tourism industry and the local media on Thursday welcomed the Approved Destination Status (ADS) that China granted to Canada, hoping the measure could boost the country's languishing tourism.

"Approved Destination Status marks a significant moment in the history of our relations with China, indicating not only our mutual commitment to strengthening our diplomatic and commercial partnerships, but also our people-to-people ties," a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office said.

The decision was announced in Beijing earlier Thursday in a joint communique from both governments as Harper made his first visit to China.

Granting approved destination status means Chinese tourists have easier access to visas to travel in those countries and regions. China has granted 135 countries and regions approved destination status for Chinese tourists so far.

"As Canada prepares to welcome the world to Vancouver for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, this new designation will help more of our Chinese friends discover why Canada is one of the best places in the world in which to invest, innovate, work and compete," Harper said in the statement.

Canadian media were quick to follow the news while interviewing the tourism industry for their opinion. The Canadian tourism industry is applauding the Chinese decision, which officials estimate could bring 100 million Canadian dollars (95 million U. S. dollars a year to Canada, the Canadian Press said in a report.

"This is a vital and historic announcement for Canada's tourism industry," the report quoted Randy Williams, president and CEO of the Ottawa-based Tourism Industry Association of Canada a saying.

The agreement will allow Canadian tourism operators to tap into the world's most significant emerging outbound tourism market, Williams said.

By 2020, China is expected to be the world's largest outbound market, producing some 100 million tourists, he noted.

"Having China opened up to Toronto as a tourist market is great news for the city and region," said David Whitaker, president and CEO of Tourism Toronto.

"We currently have about 70,000 visitors a year from China and they tend to stay longer and spend more while they are here, making it a strategically important visitor market for Toronto."

Tourism Toronto has been actively developing the China market for several years through tour operators and PR initiatives, but the new status allows it to promote the city more directly to Chinese consumers, Whitaker said.

According to the Prime Minister's Office, in 2008, visits to Canada by Chinese citizens were up 5.3 percent from the year before, for a total of 159,000. Chinese travelers had the highest average length of stay (28 nights) in Canada and spent more than visitors from any other country (1,648.51 Canadian dollars or 1565.60 U. S. dollars).

According to a Conference Board of Canada survey, approved destination status is expected to boost the yearly rate of travel to Canada from China by up to 50 percent by 2015.

The National Airlines Council of Canada, a trade association founded by Canada's largest commercial airlines, also welcomed the ADS status.

"Canada's tourism industry and overall economy stand to gain significantly from the expected increase in Chinese visitors now possible through this new designation," the organization said in a press release.

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