PISA, Italy, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Tourism is an important bridge connecting people from different countries and fostering mutual understanding, Paolo Pesciatini, Pisa city councillor in charge of tourism, said in a recent interview with Xinhua.
Pisa attaches great importance to Chinese tourists, Pesciatini said, and the city hopes to deepen cultural and tourism exchanges with China to allow more Chinese visitors to discover the Italian city beyond its world-famous Leaning Tower.
"For us, the Chinese market and the Chinese people are very important," he said, adding that Pisa can offer visitors rich experiences of culture, nature, gastronomy and local traditions.
Pisa is a historic city, a university hub and a research center in Tuscany. Pesciatini said the city hopes to present a fuller image to Chinese visitors, one that combines art, culture, science, technology and openness to the future.
To better welcome Chinese tourists, the city has translated its tourism website into Chinese and prepared Chinese-language materials and welcome signs at major tourist sites. "We want to build a reception system worthy of the importance of Chinese visitors," Pesciatini said, adding that Chinese tourists are increasingly interested in deeper travel experiences rather than simply visiting famous landmarks.
Pisa has maintained close ties with China over the years. In 2008, Pisa and Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province, established a sister-city relationship. Local universities and research institutions in Pisa have also developed exchanges with Chinese partners.
Last year, Pisa hosted the China-Italy Culture and Tourism Week. During the event, performers from north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region staged shows near Pisa's medieval walls, attracting many residents and visitors.
Pesciatini said the event received a positive response from the local community. Italy and China, both countries with long histories and rich traditions, share many cultural connections, he added.
Noting that Italian writer Rustichello da Pisa helped compile The Travels of Marco Polo, one of Europe's earliest and most influential accounts of China, he said such historical and cultural links provide a solid foundation for further exchanges between the two countries.
Looking ahead, he said Pisa hopes to strengthen cooperation with Chinese cities, cultural and tourism institutions, universities and media organizations, while welcoming more Chinese visitors to explore the city.
"Through greater exchanges and cooperation, we can bring the peoples of Italy and China closer together," Pesciatini said. ■