Developing the China inbound market

Last week, Kathryn Davis had the pleasure to represent Visit West at a series of meetings alongside Visit Peak District with representatives of cities and businesses across Anhui Province, before heading to Chengdu and the Visit Britain Trade Mission, Destination Britain China North East Asia. 

During DBCNEA, there were more than 50 meetings with travel professionals all with business to bring to the region.  For many, this would be a new region to extend into their programmes or would extend existing programmes where there may be anything from a few hours to one overnight.  Kathryn was joined at the meetings by Dennis Hu, Director of Make it China who Visit West have been working with to develop our approach to the market.

When discussing what may be of interest, there were some big surprises for the market including Jane Austen and food and drink experiences, particularly visits to producers.  There was also an interest in discovering more for educational groups in the UK based in the London and Oxford area.

This was on top of the expected ask for luxury accommodation for small leisure and family groups, as well as ‘must see’ iconic destinations.

Visit West are now reviewing all the asks and will be in touch with those who have already expressed an interest in working in the market to follow up with a webinar in the new year.  We will also contacting some businesses quickly who we think have opportunities in the market based on our calls.

Details of the online webinar will be sent later this week, so look out for more details, or register your interest by contacting kathryn.davis@visitwest.co.uk