The 16th edition of the international CHINA-ASEAN-EXPO (CAEXPO) was held in Nanning on 21-24 September. Poland is the first European country to receive an invitation to become a partner country of one of China’s largest expos.

The Polish presence was arranged by the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Technology. Robert Andrzejczyk, President of Polish Tourism Organisation (Polska Organizacja Turystyczna - POT), was a member of a delegation under the leadership of Minister Marcin Ociepa.

During the Expo Robert Andrzejczyk presented Poland as the top tourist destination of Central and Eastern Europe. As part of the Tourism Cooperation Seminar, he gave a presentation on the potential of Polish tourist offer’s development in the context of possible bilateral cooperation between China and ASEAN member states.

For the entire duration of the event, the Polish national pavilion featured an informational stand arranged by POT’s International Office in Beijing. Visitors could obtain professional information about Poland’s tourist assets and highlights, receive brochures and watch promo videos. Delegates of Małopolska Tourist Organisation were also present.

In a separate section of the Expo, 20 companies representing various industries, including the tourist sector, showcased their offer in a zone dedicated to Polish entrepreneurs.

Last but not least, CAEXPO featured many bilateral meetings. Among them, President of POT and Zuzanna Gutkowska, Deputy Director of the Beijing-based POT International Office, met with representatives of Guilin Tourism University, the largest and most prestigious institution of its kind in the whole of China. The meeting focused on available opportunities for cooperation, including student exchange programs, internships in Poland and education of tourism professionals. Thanks to the latter, the Chinese industry will get a chance to learn more about Poland and, consequently, shape a core group of Chinese-speaking guides, more effectively develop itineraries of trips to Poland and, finally, propagate them in China.