時事新聞:中國訪美旅遊人數大增

An increasing number of Chinese tourists are visiting the United States, pleasing many American businesses in tough economic times. The number of U.S. tourist visas issued to Chinese has risen dramatically, from 203,000 travelers in 2004 to the latest number available, which is 1.1 million. That puts China ninth on the list of countries of origin for U.S. tourism.

中國訪美遊客人數不斷增加，令處於經濟艱難時期的許多美國企業受益。美國向中國公民簽發的旅遊簽證數量已大幅增加，從2004年的20萬3000增加到去年的110萬，這是可獲得的最新數字。這使中國成爲美國的第9大旅遊客源國。

Ron Erdmann, deputy director of the U.S. Commerce Department's Office of Travel and Tourism Industries, told VOA the Chinese tourists are giving a boost to the U.S. economy. Erdmann said Chinese tourism also benefits the people of both countries culturally. Erdmann said the growth in tourism from China is also boosting the sector of the U.S. travel industry that specializes in providing services to Chinese visitors. He said the U.S. government, for its part, is working to make sure that most visa applicants are approved promptly.

美國商務部旅遊與旅行業辦公室副主任羅恩·厄爾德曼對美國之音說，中國遊客提振了美國經濟。厄爾德曼說，中國遊客訪美還有利於兩國人民的文化交流。厄爾德曼說，中國訪美遊客人數增加還促使美國旅遊業改善向中國遊客提供的服務。他說，美國政府也在致力於確保大多數簽證申請快速獲批。