Tropical North Queensland tourism gets smart about China
Strategies for undertaking business in China and embracing the Chinese culture will be outlined at a cross-cultural workshop in Cairns today to help local operators get a competitive edge said Minister for Tourism, Manufacturing and Small Business Jan Jarratt.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Strategies for undertaking business in China and embracing the Chinese culture will be outlined at a cross-cultural workshop in Cairns today to help local operators get a competitive edge said Minister for Tourism, Manufacturing and Small Business Jan Jarratt.
Ms Jarratt said international customer service and tourism specialists TravConsult had joined forces with Tourism Queensland and the Hilton Hotel Cairns to facilitate the workshop.
“This workshop will provide locals with the knowledge and skills needed to accommodate the expectations of potential or existing Chinese business partners,” Ms Jarratt said.
“China is one of Queensland’s fastest growing inbound markets and has strong growth forecast for over the next decade.”
In the year to September 2010, Queensland welcomed 172,000 Chinese visitors – a year on year increase of 21 percent.
These visitors also spent $336 million on their trips to Queensland in the year ending September 2010, $67 million more than during the previous year.
Parliamentary Secretary assisting the Premier and Economic Development in the Far North Steve Wettenhall said the introduction of China Southern’s direct flights into Brisbane Airport late last year meant businesses across Queensland could expect a further increase in Chinese visitors to Queensland in 2011 and 2012.
“In fact, the new China Southern route has added a potential 3,400 extra Chinese visitors into Queensland each month and means Chinese travellers are now able to fly direct into Queensland three times a week,” Mr Wettenhall said.
“For this market to continue to grow, successfully doing business with Chinese businesses such as travel agents or wholesalers, airlines and the like, is essential.
“That’s where having the cultural skills and business knowledge to effectively negotiate and build relationships with Chinese colleagues or business partners becomes crucial.”
“Understanding different cultures, customs and business practices is vital for tourism operators to ensure successful campaigns and partnerships with their international business partners or colleagues,” she said.
The Chinese Culture and Business Workshop will run at:
Where: The Hilton Hotel Cairns
When: Wednesday, 2 March
Time: Registrations open at 12.45pm for a 1.00pm start.
Topics covered in the workshop include:
Chinese history and how it impacts on Chinese behaviour and culture and their business and leisure activities; Useful Chinese words and expressions and suggestions on when it is appropriate to use them; The importance of Chinese national characteristics and their impact on tourism; Cultural aspects which are important to Chinese people, such as relationships, and how they impact on interacting with or doing business with them; Do’s and don’t for meetings and entertaining Chinese colleagues; Understanding and managing Chinese consumers as travellers, their behaviour, needs and service expectations; and The common traits and needs of Chinese tourists – the mass market compared to the free independent travellers. For more information Tropical North Queensland tourism operators can contact TravConsult representative Trevor Lee on 0403 362 028 or trevor@travconsult.com.au.
Media Contact: 0407 890 389
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