Exhibitors present traditional embroidered balls of Zhuang ethnic group at the 2016 China-Asean expo tourism exhibition in Guilin, South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, Oct 20, 2016. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

An exhibition showcasing the tourism resources of China and Association of Southeast Asian Nations will be staged in Guilin in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region from Oct 18 to 20.

The China-ASEAN Expo Tourism Exhibition aims to boost friendship and cooperation among China and ASEAN countries. It is hosted by China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and Guangxi's local government.

The exhibition has been staged for four consecutive years. It attracted over 800 exhibitors and more than 300 buyers from over 50 countries and regions in 2018.

This year's event will consist of seven exhibition zones, featuring Belt and Road elements, international travel and individual cities' appeal.

Tourism-promotion, business-negotiation and project-investment meetings will be held in the interim.

The exhibition will also showcase Guilin's cultural and creative products, says Jia Yucheng, a senior official with Guangxi's culture and tourism department.

Authorities believe the event will help Guilin to develop into an international-resort city.

Tourism between China and ASEAN countries has continued to boom in recent years.

Bilateral personnel visits reached 57 million in 2018, and about 4,000 flights were made among China and ASEAN countries.

China is the biggest source of travelers to ASEAN countries, seven of which were among Chinese travelers' top 10 destinations last year.

China and ASEAN countries have also reached partnership agreements related to culture and tourism through the Belt and Road Initiative, Jia says.

Indonesia has allowed Chinese travelers visa-free entry since 2015, while Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam have all adopted visa-on-arrival policies for Chinese.

"It has facilitated Chinese travel in ASEAN countries," Jia says.

Tourism players and institutes from 21 countries and regions have confirmed their participation in this year's event, says Li Bin, director of Guilin's culture, radio, TV and tourism bureau.

Over 100 overseas buyers from 26 countries and regions, including the United States, Canada, Britain, France, Russia and Australia, have registered.

A total of 22 Chinese provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Sichuan, will also participate in the tourism exhibition.

yangfeiyue@chinadaily.com.cn