Construction is underway in Ottawa's Chinatown for a decorative arch. (Kate Porter/CBC)

Ottawa's historic Rideau Canal will soon be getting a big tourism push — in China.

Representatives from Beijing's tourism division were in Ottawa on Monday to sign a friendship agreement that will see the canal promoted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Beijing.

Noel Buckley, the CEO of Ottawa Tourism, is excited about a tourism agreement Canada struck with China last December.

"We're hoping that it gets signed in the very near future," said Buckley. "We're certain that it will. But we're already starting to work with partners in China as we speak."

The deal will make it easier for Chinese citizens to visit Canada for personal, rather than official business.

The National Capital Region is already one of the major beneficiaries.

"In July, at the Great Wall, [the Chinese] will be promoting Ottawa, the National Capital, and the Rideau Canal. And during our Rideau Canal fest, we'll be promoting Beijing and the Great Wall," said Buckley.

In Ottawa's Chinatown on Monday, Chinese artisans were at work building a decorative arch. Nearby, tour operator Helen Chen is looking at business opportunities the new travel agreement might offer her.

Chen usually sends people to China. Now she's training her staff to be guides who can hop on tour buses, and give a proper tour of Ottawa.

But Chen knows Ottawa needs to convince travel agencies in China that Canada is not just Niagara Falls and the Rocky Mountains.

"What I want is to try our best to design a good itinerary," she said.

Chen says there could be a silver lining to Canada being one of the last destinations to get Chinese tourism approval.

She says tourists might be more travelled, discerning and therefore eager to explore more of what Canada has to offer.