Zhang Jun (fifth from right), director of Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development (BMCTD), alongside Michel Bourdon (to Zhang’s right), vice-president of Montreal Tourism, and guests pose at the Beijing High Level Tourism Resources Showcase hosted by BMCTD on Oct 16 in Montreal. NA LI / CHINA DAILY

Since it was launched on Sept 29, the first direct flight linking Beijing and Montreal has already boosted tourism exchange between the two cities.

The Beijing High-Level Tourism Resources Showcase hosted by Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development (BMCTD) was held in Montreal on Oct 16. Officials from the Quebec and Montreal tourist administrations and representatives from local travel agencies, tourist institutions and tourist representatives attended.

The showcase presented customized tour packages created by the commission in Beijing, with titles such as Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sports Events, Festivals and Exhibitions, the Creative Industry or Cultural Performances.

"We try to help tourists in North America have a better understanding of Beijing and enlarge the tourism market," said Zhang Jun, director of BMCTD. "It will provide opportunities for local tourism industries and inbound groups to get to know each other and enhance cooperation between us in the new market."

"What we're trying to do is not only welcome Chinese visitors to Montreal, but also encourage people in Montreal to go to China as well," said Michel Bourdon, vice-president of Montreal Tourism. "We are expecting 100,000 clients and visitors from China from now through 2017."

According to Bourdon, Montreal is the main gateway to eastern Canada's unique history and culture, and is a very secure city with lots of things for Chinese visitors to explore.

Local Montreal travel agencies expressed a high level of interest in Beijing.

"I think everybody here is excited about this new market between China and Montreal with the launch of the new flight from Beijing to Montreal," said Nathalie De Grandmont, a travel agent in Montreal. "We're looking forward to many more Chinese visitors coming to Montreal, and this flight will help. Now we can cooperate better between the markets with this bridge connecting the two cultures."

Operated by Air China's new-generation B777-300ER, the new thrice-weekly nonstop service connects Montreal not only to Beijing but also to the rest of Asia. According to Air China, so far the seat occupancy rate has reached 90 percent on the Beijing-to-Montreal leg, which is more than they expected.

"It's a good beginning," Lin Qingfeng, general manager at Air China Montreal office, told China Daily. "We look forward to increasing the frequency on this route in the future, and we will extend this flight from Montreal to Havana starting Dec 27. Passengers can fly from Beijing to Montreal and transfer directly to Havana."

The promotion of high-level tourism resources in Beijing is part of a series of activities hosted by BMCTD with the increasing demand for high-level tourism products.

Meanwhile, the upgrading of Beijing's 72-hour visa-free transit and departure tax rebate policy has provided much more convenience to foreign visitors.

"We hope the tourism industry exchange and cooperation will forge bilateral trade relations between the two cities as well," said Du Peng, Chinese economic and commercial counsel in Montreal.