Europe has become the second-largest overseas destination for Chinese tourists after Asia, with most visitors heading to France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Russia, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Greece, the Czech Republic and Hungary, according to online travel company Ctrip.

China is willing to take the tourism year as an opportunity to deepen cooperation with the EU and member states in the field of tourism and to contribute to the development of China-EU relations, said Yu Qun, a member of the leadership of China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Zhao Gang, vice-governor of Shaanxi province, echoed the view, adding that the EU-China Tourism Year provided an opportunity for the EU and the world to understand Shaanxi and promote cooperation.

EU member nations issued about 2.5 million visas to Chinese visitors last year, Marcin Grabiec, counselor for the EU delegation to China, said. He also added that the delegation is in negotiation with the Chinese government to open more visa centers nationwide to offer faster, easier and cheaper services.