Romanian Foreign Min Wants To Entice Chinese Tourists Into Visiting Romania

The minister said Romania and its neighbors should come up with common tourist offers, adding it is hard to believe Chinese tourists will come to Europe only to visit Romania.

Baconschi said Romania's pavilion at the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai has been the most prominent endeavor to promote the country since 1990.

"Romania's pavilion welcomed 2 million visitors. Our target is to hit 7 million visitors, which means 10% of the total number of visitors at the Expo Shanghai 2010," said the minister, adding he hopes Romania's offers, especially its wine offers, will conquer the Chinese market.

Baconschi also said that potential Chinese investments in Romania must also be identified, adding Chinese partners must participate in auctions for key transport infrastructure projects.

The minister stressed that the total sum needed to set up the pavilion and organize cultural and economic events was initially set at 27 million lei (EUR1=RON 4.2531), but it was reduced by 30%.

"We are in talks with Chinese authorities to dismantle the pavilion and reassemble it in another Chinese retail space, with a view to carrying out business operations," said Baconschi.

Romania's pavilion at the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai was officially opened in May, a few hours after the end of the site's opening ceremony which marked the 41st world expo event. The pavilion, which pictures a green apple and a slice of an apple lying on the ground, includes exhibition halls, multimedia screens, a conference room, a stage and a restaurant serving Romanian traditional food.

Romania's exhibition hall includes four sectors which present the country's architectural landmarks - fortified churches, monasteries and medieval cities, as well as the development of modern cities and urban civilization.

World Expo 2010 gathers 200 pavilions and many of the countries participating in the event hope to be allowed to keep them open after the closing of the event.

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