SHANGHAI, May 16 (Xinhua) -- Israel's Ministry of Tourism of signed an agreement with China's online travel operator Ctrip during an ongoing tourism exhibition (ITB China) to strengthen tourism in the Chinese market.

More cooperation will be carried out between the two sides, mainly in terms of itineraries, big data and marketing to attract Chinese travelers, particularly young people to Israel, according to the agreement.

Some 55,000 Chinese visited Israel during the first four months of 2019, marking a 70 percent increase year on year, according to the data released by the Ministry of Tourism of Israel.

In 2018, 105,000 Chinese visited Israel, which is over a 100 percent increase from 2015.

Israel has launched a series of measures to promote tourism in China, including developing travel products with diversified themes, increasing direct flights between the two countries and providing more convenient visa policies.

Israel has also upgraded Chinese cuisine in local restaurants and hotels, set up Chinese signs in its main sites and resorts, provided Chinese-language maps, and trained more Chinese-speaking guides.

ITB China, a professional exhibition focusing on travel and tourism industry, is annually held in Shanghai. This year, 800 exhibitors from 84 countries and regions attended the exhibition lasting from May 15 to 17.