中国访美旅游人数大增

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.

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.中国访美游客人数不断增加，令处于经济艰难时期的许多美国企业受益。美国向中国公民签发的旅游签证数量已大幅增加，从2004年的20万3000增加到去年的110万，这是可获得的最新数字。这使中国成为美国的第9大旅游客源国。

美国商务部旅游与旅行业办公室副主任罗恩·厄尔德曼对美国之音说，中国游客提振了美国经济。厄尔德曼说，中国游客访美还有利于两国人民的文化交流。厄尔德曼说，中国访美游客人数增加还促使美国旅游业改善向中国游客提供的服务。他说，美国政府也在致力于确保大多数签证申请快速获批。