A potentially enormous clientèle. "This is a considerable market", confirms Philippe Dourthe, President of the Regional Tourism Committee. Not all can afford to travel but the potential remains significant since 55 million Chinese have a high purchasing power and spend freely.
"However, it is not always easy to attract Chinese customers. All they know about France are a few names : Paris, Cognac, Bordeaux...."
They will not be convinced if we simply invite them to "visit the Gironde region". "So we are now working with neighbouring departmental committees such as the Charente region in order to devise more comprehensive and attractive offers for Chinese tourists", explains Philippe Dourthe. Offers capable of satisfying Chinese tour operators who are notoriously demanding and partial to "Inclusive Package Tour" formulas which enable their clients to travel all over a country in one week and have a glimpse of as much of that country's rich diversity as
possible : beautiful countryside, national heritage, gastronomy, wine, luxury boutiques, festivals...
The CDT will be in Hong Kong (during Vinexpo Hong Kong) from the 27th - 31st May with an aim to show China what the Gironde region has to offer.
Published 05/2008
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