During Prime Minister Harper’s visit to China in December 2009, China announced that it granted Canada Approved Destination Status (ADS), which allows Chinese nationals to travel to Canada in a leisure group tour format. A Memorandum of Understanding governing ADS was reached between Prime Minister Harper and Chinese President Hu Jintao on June 24th, 2010.

ADS travel to Canada by Chinese tourist groups is organized by travel agencies designated by the National Tourism Administration of China (CNTA) in partnership with a Canadian tour operator accredited by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC.)