Have you decided ( or been told) that you need to pursue the Chinese tourism market? It makes sense. China is rapidly becoming the world’s fastest-growing outbound tourism market and the United States is the top long-distance spot to visit. China has the world’s largest population, and less than 10% of residents have a passport. 90% of Chinese have not even left their country yet! So yes, the potential is huge. But how do you get them to start visiting your destination or attraction?
Timing and location are important to tour operators
One of the most important elements that tour operators consider when putting together new itineraries is the distances between stops and the timing of the stops. There are strict federal laws about how long a bus driver can be on duty and how many hours a driver can drive. Because a bus driver can only drive a bus 10 hours a day, every minute counts.
Do your research
Do you have Chinese visitors traveling near you already? Take some time to do some research about where the tour groups are stopping. Are you on the way or out of the way? Think of the itinerary as a connect-the-dots picture. If your location is along the way, it will be easier to get included in a future tour. Sometimes the stops might just be a brief stop to use the restrooms and shop. That’s ok. Keep meeting with the operators and they will add your stop in eventually if your product appeals to Chinese guests.
What if you are not on the main routes?
All is not lost if you are not between two popular stops. It will take a bit longer and you will need to be more strategic. There is a definite trend to bring smaller groups to more unique destinations. Chinese guests like to go to places that can be described in superlatives- The ‘largest’, the ‘oldest’, the ‘only’ etc. Spots in Iowa are popular because Chinese president Xi Jinping went to college in Muscatine for a time. Do some research and see what is unique that guests would want to see. Find at least one other spot near you that will help create enough interest for another tour option. Partner with that attraction or destination and work together to create a 2-3 year plan to build relationships with operators and make sure they are aware of your offering.
Another opportunity
For some of my readers, this will be enough information to start formulating a plan. Good – that’s my goal for you! For some of you however, a bit more assistance and strategic planning is in order. How do you know if your attraction is something the tour operators can sell? How do you get tour operators to return calls so you can set up an appointment to meet them? I’ve been there, believe me.
I have developed a China Sales Mission Program for 2019. I will work with a group of 10 and we will work together to get your attraction ‘China ready’. We will then spend time in Chinatown and Flushing NY meeting with tour operators. Put my China marketing expertise to work and join the China Sales Mission Program. Click here for more information or to sign up. Email me at sally@sallydavisberry.com with any questions you might have. It will get your 2019 off to a great start!