Crater Lake National Park and Wuyishan National Scenic Area in China are now sister parks.

Representatives from Oregon, the U.S. National Parks Service and China formally signed the sister-park agreement 10 days ago in China.

The agreement, nearly 10 years in the making, helps promote Crater Lake National Park to a fast-growing Chinese travel audience. It also encourages cultural and environmental study exchanges between the two parks, according to Carolyn S. Hill, executive director of Crater Lake National Park Trust and CEO of Travel Southern Oregon.

“The economic and cultural advantages of this relationship are immeasurable,” Hill said. “We have an opportunity to build a bridge that allows scientists, students, visitors and nations to learn and share together.”

Hill led a delegation to Fujian, China, for the signing. Joining her were Craig Ackerman, Crater Lake National Park superintendent, and Teresa O’Neill, vice president of global sales for Travel Oregon.

“This agreement has been by the strength of the long-standing friendship and spirit of cooperation between the people of the Fujian province and the state of Oregon,” said Ackerman. “Both areas will work together to share our knowledge, skills and expertise to help protect, preserve and make available for our peoples these places whose magnificent scenery, diverse resources and rich history transcend international borders.”

Nearly 10 years ago, Travel Southern Oregon and the Crater Lake National Park Trust created a Southern Oregon-China Connection conference, which brought together visiting dignitaries from the Chinese Consul General’s office in San Francisco, and regional tourism, economic development, education and other partners. In March 2015, Travel Southern Oregon coordinated a 10-day familiarization tour for officials from Fujian.

“It’s been grassroots from the start, with a lot of different people critical to bringing us here,” Hill said. “We are grateful to China and humbled by the culmination of the sister-park agreement.”

Crater Lake National Park welcomed 614,712 visitors in 2015, its highest count since the first tracking numbers in 1904. In comparison, Wuyishan Mountain National Park averages 10.5 million visitors a year.

The agreement is important for Oregon’s economy.

Travel Southern Oregon is a seven-county regional cooperative marketing association and official Regional Destination Marketing Organization for the state tourism office, Travel Oregon.

***previous*** — ***next***