Sporting chance for Somerset in Chinese tourism market

6th September 2011

A delegation of Chinese tourism and leisure managers has completed another visit to Somerset aimed at establishing a new holiday market for the county.

The party of seven included senior executives from China Holidays, the Jinan National Fitness Centre and the city’s Municipal Sports Bureau. The itinerary included trips to Wells and Clark’s Village shopping centre at Street.

Senior Somerset County Council politicians and officers welcomed the delegation at County Hall in Taunton on Friday for discussions on how Somerset’s leisure and sporting attractions can meet Chinese holidaymakers’ needs. They also discussed how they can cooperate further to make Somerset a destination of choice for Chinese visitors to the UK.

Representatives from Somerset Tourism Association, Somerset Active Sports Partnership and Somerset Leisure also joined the talks.

The Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for Economic Development, Cllr David Hall, said: “Somerset has much to offer tourists from all over the world. It was my privilege to welcome another Chinese delegation to our county, to review with them Somerset’s many and varied attractions, and to discuss ways that Chinese tourists might be encouraged to visit us in the future.

“This tour was exclusive to Somerset, and I am optimistic that the experience our guests take home with them will encourage a great many of their countrymen to travel here to this most special of holiday destinations.”

Director of International Strategy for the Somerset Tourism Association, John Turner, said: “We were delighted to be involved in this visit as co-promoters. If this is successful we hope there will be further tours coordinated between; ourselves, SCC and China Holidays for VIPs representing Chinese local and national government. This is a very important time and a great day for Somerset.”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-14775531

http://www.jackbristol.com/news/bristols-news/chinese-visit-west-country-tourist-spots-6687/

http://www.isomerset.co.uk/news/

http://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/9233119.Chinese_tourism_boost_for_Somerset/

http://www.intosomerset.co.uk/can-chinese-tourism-lead-inward-investment