BC Cabinet Minister asks Beijing for Approved Destination Status
BC Cabinet Minister Colin Hansen is trying to speed up China's granting of Approved Destination Status (APS) to Canada. Talks started long ago, but have yet to come to fruition. Once the status is granted tourism from Mainland Chinese is sure to rise at least moderately over the course of the first 5 to 10 years.
There are concerns that APS will lead to increased refugee claims, and possibly more illegal immigrants using Canada as a staging ground to enter the USA. Nonetheless the status is likely to be granted sooner rather than later. It would be very surprising if Chinese tourists weren't flocking to Vancouver for the 2010 Olympics.
Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20060513.BCHANSEN13/TPStory/National