NYS aims to attract more Chinese tourists
Updated: 2014-07-31 10:26
By ADELINA ZHANG in New York(China Daily USA)
|
||||||||
New York State wants more Chinese tourists to say — or sing — "I Love New York’’ as it seeks to tap into the more than $102 billion global Chinese tourism market.
Chinese tour wholesalers are developing itineraries for upstate New York during the "Becoming China Ready" workshops, hosted by "I Love New York" last week.Provided to China Daily |
The state’s tourism agency — also known by the song and slogan as "I Love New York’’ — has opened a second office in Beijing to promote the Empire State’s features to consumers and the Chinese tourism industry, and it has held "Becoming China Ready" workshops.
The workshops last week in the upstate cities of Albany, Utica and Rochester were for private businesses, government agencies and tourism organizations to learn how to promote themselves to the Chinese tourism market, how to work with Chinese tour operators and what Chinese visitors want.
Markly Wilson, director of international marketing at New York State’s tourism division, said that this year the department took tourism agents from China to various parts of the state to show them that there is more than just the always-popular spots of New York City and Niagara Falls.
He said the department is working on developing tourism itineraries featuring the Hudson Valley, the Catskills, Central New York, the Finger Lakes and the Adirondacks.
Wilson said that the department is attracted to Chinese market because of its economic wealth and large population.
"The number of billionaires that they have is more than other country," he said. "The middle class is growing every year. Over the past 15 years, the country has changed from one dominated country to one that is much more free and liberal. After having been confined with centuries, they are able to experience the world."
Sally Berry, the tourism sales and marketing manager of the Corning Museum of Glass, in Corning, said that Chinese tourists are interested in the museum because it is one of the largest museums of glass in the world. She also said there also are Mandarin translators available, especially for one of their main events, the hot glass show.
"We have been welcoming Chinese visitors since 2007and we have certainly seen an increase every year in Chinese tourist," said Berry.
- Xinjiang publishes anti-terror brochures
- Security pact sealed with Afghanistan
- President Xi encourages international cultural exchanges
- Premier Li: China willing to help Afghan infrastructure
- Chinese FM: China, Asia-Pacific become community of shared destiny
- Foreign minister remarks on possibility of China-Japan summit
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
HK extends injunction against protests |
Growth pangs |
Decoding China cyber-society |
Safeguarding foreigners' rights |
Getting my first hair cut in Ningbo |
The ancient army that's still growing |
Today's Top News
VW defends safety of recalled New Sagitar
Former premier makes Hurun philanthropists list
Xinjiang publishes anti-terror brochures
SOHO endows $10m to Yale
Cook and Ma talk about partnership
Language a barrier to healthcare for Asian Americans
China businesses need innovation: VC
Security pact sealed with Afghanistan
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |