People in costumes pose for a group photo in front of a promotion board of the 2019 Year of Tourism for China and Pacific Island Countries in Apia, capital of Samoa, April 1, 2019. The 2019 Year of Tourism for China and Pacific Island Countries was launched here at a grand ceremony in the capital of Samoa, with colored fireworks and wonderful cultural programs. [Photo/Xinhua]

Increasingly, Chinese travellers are looking for new destinations and experiences and the Pacific island region is still an untapped destination. she added.

Both SPTO Chief Executive Officer Christopher Cocker and Samoa Tourism Authority (STA) Chief Executive Officer Papalii Sonja Hunter made it clear that Pacific island nations, including Samoa, are ready to welcome Chinese tourists.

They told Xinhua on Monday that the Pacific tourism industry is currently working on programs to be "China Ready," and the focus is to sustainably develop and promote the Pacific to niche Chinese outbound market segments who wish to experience the region's beautiful islands, unique cultures and the healthy, organic food experience of the region.

The two believed that there is great potential for the tourism cooperation between China and the Pacific island countries which attract a total of 2.1 million visitors each year, and of such visitors, an estimated 125,000 plus Chinese visitors visited the Pacific region.

In their opinions, China is an important target for tourism growth in the region over the coming years given its numbers and spending power of Chinese visitors.