Representatives of overseas Chinese travel agencies wait for the first United States-bound Chinese leisure tour group's arrival, at the Dallas International Airport in Dallas of Virginia State, the United States, June 17, 2008. The first United States-bound Chinese leisure tour group arrived at the United States on Monday to begin their 11-day tour. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    WASHINGTON, June 17 (Xinhua) -- First groups of Chinese leisure travelers to the United States arrived Tuesday night at Dulles International Airport in Washington and found themselves surrounded by Jazz music, smile and hospitality.

    About 40 Chinese visitors walked through airport alley with banners on both sides saying "welcome to the U.S. capital."

William G. Sutton, assistant secretary of U.S. Department of Commerce (L) greets China National Tourism Administration Director Shao Qiwei (R), who leads the first United States-bound Chinese leisure tour group, at the Dallas International Airport in Dallas of Virginia State, the United States, June 17, 2008. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    "It is so exciting and makes me looking forward to this tour," said Mrs. Xing, a 70-year-old visitor from Beijing, adding that she felt very honored to be among the first leisure groups to the U.S.

    Another visitor, Ms. Han, said she enjoyed the jazz which she described as an experience of American cultural and expected an overview of the country during the tour.

    "Knowing will lead to understanding," she said, "I hope mutual understanding can help bridge gaps between two countries."

    Their 11-day tour marked the implementation of a memorandum of understanding to facilitate outbound tourist group travel from China to the United States signed on Dec. 11, 2007, a milestone in the history of U.S.-China tourism and economic cooperation.

    "They bring in enthusiasm, curiosity and wonderful spirit, and we really look forward to hosting them," William G. Sutton, Assistant Secretary of U.S. Department of Commerce, told Xinhua.

    "The start of Chinese leisure group to the U.S. will deepen the mutual understanding and friendship between two peoples and contribute to the development of strategic partnership between two countries," said Shao Qiwei, director of China National Tourism Administration who led the first group of Chinese travelers.

    According to Shao, Chinese in nine provinces and three municipalities are allowed to take part in leisure travel groups to America during first six months of memorandum implementation before the program is expanded to other parts of China.

    "It is important to conduct the tour in an orderly way, which is vital to protect Chinese citizen's legal rights and regulate the Chinese tourism market," he said.

    Currently, China is one of the fastest growing tourism markets in the world and analysts predict it will become the world's fourth largest tourist source by 2020.

    Chinese citizens traveling to the U.S. spent more than 6,000 U.S. dollars on average in 2006 according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

    Charlie Shao, President of the Los Angeles-based Galaxy Tour agency who host the first six Chinese leisure groups, told Xinhua that he was very excited that Chinese leisure travelers can visit America, besides business and official groups. He believed it would greatly benefit the U.S. tourism industry.

    "I hope Chinese tourism market will be more open to us and all Chinese people have opportunities to visit this country," he said.

    In preparation for a sharp increase of Chinese visitors, the Galaxy Tour have recruited and trained more than 130 Chinese-speaking tourist guides.

    According to Shao, the U.S. Department of Commerce has arranged special activities for the first six Chinese leisure groups, including a planned meeting with Secretary Carlos Gutierrez at the White House, a tour to the Capitol Hill and a grand reception ceremony at a boat sailing along the Potomac River.