New York state seeks Chinese tourists

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.

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 2007 and we have certainly seen an increase every year in Chinese tourist," said Berry.

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For China Daily