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Utahns, Chinese sign pact to promote local tourism

Posted at 9:44 PM, Nov 03, 2012
and last updated 2012-11-04 03:14:08-05

ANTELOPE ISLAND, Utah - A sixteen-member delegation from the China Great Wall Society were at Antelope Island for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding pact with the Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation.

The pact is part of an international exchange program that will create a sister relationship between the division, Antelope Island State Park and the Jinshanling section of the Great Wall of China.

"I think it's a really impressive gesture on a global scale to committ to natural resources protection and education. I couldn't be happier," said Jeremy Shaw, park manager at Antelope Island State Park. "Americans and Chinese people alike can go back and forth and visit these two sister parks and enjoy what they have to offer."

State officials say the goal is to encourage Utahns to visit the Great Wall and have the China Great Wall Society promote Utah and Antelope Island as travel destinations.

"If we can establish exchange programs like we have with this particular group of artists, we're going to get the word out about Utah in China and generate interest for China to travel and visit our great landscapes," said Patti Denny with the Utah Office of Tourism.

For more information on Utah's travel programs, visit travel.utah.gov.