China and Iceland signed here Monday the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on visa and related issues for group Chinese tourists to travel to Iceland.

Experts cited the signing of MOU as a crucial measure to enlarge Chinese citizens' group travel to European destinations, which will further promote bilateral exchanges of people's visits and also signifies that China is becoming increasingly open in outbound tourism market.

The exact date for Chinese travel agencies to allow organized groups to travel to Europe is yet to be finalized. Currently, China and European nations which already signed MOU are busy exchanging travel agency name list and preparing for business contracts. When all these preparations are ready, group tourism can be launched.

Up to now, China has approved a total of 57 nations for group Chinese tourists, with 41 nations signed MOU and 26 already in operation.

(Xinhua News Agency April 13, 2004)