1 SCOPE AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCUREMENT  1.1 Contracting authority: who is the buyer?`  1.2 Subject: what is this call for tenders about?  1.3 Lots: is this call for tenders divided into lots?  1.4 Description: what do we want to buy through this call for tenders?  Background and objectives  1.4.1 Background  1.4.1.1 $^{1}$ Source: UNWTO annual reports http://www2.unwto.org/annual-reports. 4 The EU is attracting many Chinese travellers who are now the third largest group of  international travellers behind the US and Russia, spending on average more than American  visitors. Over the years 2014-2015, the total number of Schengen visas to Chinese travellers  Outbound travel from China has been growing fast and steadily over the past 15 years (more  than any other source market), with a steep increase since 2010. Nowadays, China is the  growth engine of the international tourism market. Tourism is one of the sectors with more untapped potential to contribute to President Junker's  priority to generate economic growth and create jobs. However, competition from emerging  destinations is increasing. In 2000, the EU had 50% of the world's market. The EU share is  now around 40% and might be around 30% by 2030. Only 10% of our tourists come from  outside the EU, compared to 27% of those of Asia-Pacific, and 25% of the Americas$^{1}$.  Variants (alternatives to the model solution described in the Tender Specifications) are not  allowed. The  Contracting authority  will disregard any variants described in a tender. The services that are the subject of this call for tender, including any minimum requirements,  are described in detail below.  This call for tenders is not divided into lots.  World Bridge Tourism : the subject of this call for tenders is is to increase the flows of  visitors from the People´s Republic of China to the European Union as well as to stimulate  investment opportunities for EU companies in China where domestic tourism is booming.  This call for tenders is launched and managed by the European Commission, referred to as the  Contracting authority for the purposes of this call for tender, assisted by its Directorate  General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship & SMEs 