The European Union is working on "flexible rules" for visa applications to woo Chinese travelers in a bid to boost the region's tourism industry, said a top official from the European Commission on Friday.

Antonio Tajani, vice-president of the European Commission, told a news conference in Beijing that the commission aims to make the visa application process easier for Chinese tourists.

"It is very important for the EU to have more Chinese visitors," Tajani said, adding that the tourism industry is crucial for the EU in terms of creating jobs and boosting economic growth, especially given the region's debt crisis.