U.S., China sign deal on tourism

NEW YORK — Chinese citizens flush with cash from their booming economy will find it easier to vacation in the U.S. after a long-awaited agreement that the American travel industry hopes will bring in billions of dollars.

The deal, signed Tuesday by U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, will allow Chinese travel agencies to market packaged leisure tours to American destinations, and will permit U.S. destinations to advertise to the Chinese public.

Nearly 100 million Chinese are expected to travel outside their homeland by 2020, and they on average spend upward of $6,000 per visit to the U.S. — more than residents of any other nation — according to the Commerce Department.