Xu Jianying speaks both English and French, and said he was looking forward to seeing the mix of cultures in Canada. (CBC)

The first group of Chinese tourists to visit Canada since it was designated an "approved destination" by China have arrived in Ottawa and toured Parliament Hill.

Government House leader John Baird was among several dignitaries who officially greeted the 300 tourists Monday as they embarked on a visit city officials hope will boost tourism for the National Capital Region.

The Chinese visitors arrived in Canada last week, landing in Vancouver on Aug. 17. They came to Ottawa over the weekend.

For tourist Xu Jianying, it was a chance to visit a country that had long fascinated him.

"I have been looking to come to Canada for more than 20 years and finally this is the opportunity," said Xu.

"That is why I applied as soon as possible with the group to come and visit."

China bestowed the approved destination status on Canada during Prime Minister Stephen Harper's first trip to China last December.

The decision makes it easier for Chinese travellers to visit Canada on tourist visas, not just as students or for business reasons. It also allows Canada to advertise as a tourist destination in China.

Many of those who travelled with Xu on the tour to Ottawa were retired and elderly tourists, who he said could not have qualified for visas before the designation was changed last year. He said he believes more people from his country will come because of the scenery and mix of cultures.

Boost in tourism expected

Rosita Wong, a consultant who has worked with Ottawa Tourism to attract Chinese tourists, said people in China are fascinated by Canada, in part because of the personal legacy of Canadian doctor Norman Bethune, whose contributions in China during the late 1930s made him a national hero.

"They love Canada, they have been hearing a lot of stories about Norman Bethune, the Maple Leaf, the clean air, the nice people ... [and] also the Canadian culture, we have French and English in one city, and this is unimaginable for China," said Wong.

"This is going to be a money-maker for the economy," said Wong.

According to the Prime Minister's Office, nearly 160,000 Chinese travellers visited Canada last year.

Approved destination status is expected to boost the yearly rate of travel to Canada from China by up to 50 per cent by 2015, according to a Conference Board of Canada survey.