The 2026 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show, organized by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, took place in March at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. As the nation's oldest and largest indoor floral and horticultural event, the Show has become a premier platform integrating garden artistry, cultural exchange, and international collaboration, attracting hundreds of thousands of global visitors annually.
The Sino-American Business and Travel Association, dedicated to fostering China-United States cultural exchange and city partnerships, has participated in the Flower Show for many years. The association has previously assisted Chinese cities like Hangzhou, Yangzhou, Chengdu, Zhengzhou, and Qingdao in hosting cultural presentations and urban horticultural displays at the Show, showcasing China's ecological advancements and cultural heritage to the American public.
This year, the Sino-American Business and Travel Association strategically partnered with the China National Tourist Office, New York, to focus on travel promotion. Through an accessible and interactive format, they introduced the diverse travel experiences found in the "Discover Beauty in China" campaign to the public.
The "China Travel Destination Promotion Pavilion" featured China's major tourist cities and themed routes, covering historical sites, natural wonders, modern urban experiences, intangible cultural heritage, and culinary tourism. Staff provided detailed information on visas, flights, itineraries, and cultural activities to interested American visitors.
The pavilion received generous support from China Southern Airlines and the Bank of China. A key attraction was the "China Journey Raffle Contest," with the grand prize—a round-trip ticket to China sponsored by China Southern Airlines—drawing large, enthusiastic crowds. The pavilion became one of the Show's busiest booths.
During the raffle drawing, the Sino-American Business and Travel Association welcomed several dignitaries, including Ma Yunfei, Director of the China National Tourist Office, New York; Pennsylvania State Representative Keith Harris; Joyce Davis, President of the World Affairs Council of Harrisburg; and Tina Tan, North America General Manager for China Southern Airlines. Representatives from the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation, including descendants of the "Flying Tigers" veterans, were also present.
The guests jointly expressed optimism for deepening China-United States cultural and tourism exchanges. Representative Harris noted that tourism and cultural exchange are vital bridges for mutual understanding. Joyce Davis emphasized that direct interactions offer the American public a more authentic view of contemporary China.
Initial estimates show thousands of visitors sought information on travel to China during the event, including families, educators, travel agents, and cultural exchange representatives. Many remarked that the interactions provided a more comprehensive and realistic understanding of China's urban development, travel convenience, and cultural diversity.
James.Zhang, President of the Sino-American Business and Travel Association, stated that the Philadelphia Flower Show serves as a significant window for cultural and international exchange. The collaboration with the China National Tourist Office, New York, marked a successful transition from showcasing city images to directly promoting travel destinations, injecting fresh vitality into China-United States people-to-people connections.
Against the backdrop of recovering global travel, this promotional activity not only showcased China's rich tourism resources but also created new opportunities for facilitating American travel to China. Looking ahead, the Sino-American Business and Travel Association aims to continue its bridging role, deepening cooperation in culture, education, tourism, and trade, and fostering more two-way exchange programs to contribute to the steady development of China-United States grassroots relations.
