Miami intensifies pitch for Chinese tourists

Bruce Orosz, chairman of Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. Photo provided to China Daily.

Known for its world-class beaches, Miami is also trying to attract Chinese tourists with shopping, dining and entertainment. And those visitors may feel even more at home when South Florida begins high-speed rail service.

"Year after year, I think Chinese travelers are starting to realize that Miami is a very interesting, unique place to visit," said Bruce Orosz, chairman of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB).

GMCVB recorded 65,016 Chinese tourists in 2016, a 12.5 percent increase over the prior year, making it one of the fastest-growing tourism markets.

"We are China-friendly; shopping, entertainment and restaurant opportunities here just continue to grow," said William Talbert, president and CEO of GMCVB.

Brickell City Center, a luxury shopping complex, recently opened. Also, a $4 billion shopping and entertainment center that will be the largest in Miami is scheduled to be completed in two years, according to Talbert.

"For Chinese visitors, Miami has more shopping opportunities today than last year," he said. "Miami is China-ready!"

William Talbert, president & CEO of Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. Photo provided to China Daily.

In 2016, Chinese visitors spent more than $134 million in Greater Miami, an increase of 16.6 percent over 2015.

Chinese are used to traveling one of the world's most extensive high-speed rail networks, and they will get that chance in Florida, as a high-speed rail network - the Brightline intercity express train - is expected to start service in a few months.

The train will connect Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach and eventually Orlando.

"For Chinese visitors, I think this is another message that Miami is China-ready!" he exclaimed. "We are very excited about the mobility and access, since better mobility is important in the global marketplace."

There is no direct flight between China and Miami yet, but Orosz said the bureau is working aggressively to find an airline that has a fleet that will enable non-stop service from Shanghai or Beijing or Shenzhen directly to Miami.

xiaohong@chinadailyusa.com