2 NEWS PREFACE Richard
2 NEWS PREFACE Richard Barnes China: No Experience? No Problem! The Right Partner, the Right Time Being Partner Destination of ITB China means more than just having “branding” at the show. This year’s Partner Destination for ITB China is Finland. From January to November 2017, the number of overnights from China to Finland reached 321,172 with a 34.3% growth compared to January to December 2016, and Chinese nationals now represent the fifth largest group of travellers to Finland. As part of the country’s efforts to raise awareness and create new business ties with outbound operators in China, around 50 delegates from Finland will be representing the country at ITB China. WE ARE VERY HAPPY TO OFFER SUCH AN INTERESTING ACCESS FOR COMPANIES FOCUSING ON CHINA IN THE FUTURE Michael Buller CEO, Verband Internet Reisevertrieb (VIR) Finland is running a multitude of visa centres in China, working on e-visa solutions for Chinese tourists and has opened up for Chinese mobile payment systems, adding a lot of convenience for Chinese visiting Finland. Finland is also taking part in the EU China Tourism Year, for which ITB China is an official partner event. As David Axiotis, General Manager ITB China, so rightly explains, Finland has proven that it is attaching great importance in enhancing Chinese tourists’ travel experience by “going the extra mile”. ITB CHINA NEWS is a CLEVERDIS Publication. 65 av. 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The publishers and editorial staff decline all responsibility as to opinions formulated in this publication by those interviewed or cited therein. Their opinions are entirely their own, and are included with the understanding that they contain, to our knowledge, no malicious intent. The inclusion of all texts, photographs and other documents supplied by those included in this publication imply the acceptance by their authors of their free publication therein. Documents and photographs will not be returned. It should be understood that this publication contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include assumptions relating to the timing of the recorded date. If any of these risks or uncertainties materialises or any of these assumptions proves incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the expectations outlined in these statements. Cleverdis assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements during the period of publication. Photo Credits and Copyright: All Rights Reserved. The ITB China Market Introduction Programme is making its debut at ITB China 2018. The newly launched programme is planned for international travel industry professionals who have no or little experience with the Chinese travel market so far. Companies or institutions who aim to gather first experiences with the Chinese travel industry, can easily establish first contacts and get useful information about this dynamic industry and market at ITB China 2018. The inaugural partner is the VIR (Verband Internet Reisevertrieb), Germany’s leading association for the online travel industry, representing the interests of the digital travel industry. A large number of the most important industry players have joined them as members, such as Amadeus, HRS and many more. Their members come from online travel agencies, supplier & tour operators, service & travel technology providers as well as startups. Each participant to the programme will get an individual ITB China schedule that is managed by a dedicated contact person from ITB China and comprises the following services: Invitations to various networking events during ITB China; Guided tours and appointments with selected Chinese key players at ITB China; Exclusive presentation sessions organised and tutored by leading Chinese companies giving first impressions on how things work in the Chinese travel industry as well as guided attendance of selected sessions of the ITB China Conference. Michael Buller, CEO Verband Internet Reisevertrieb (VIR) says that in addition to Silicon Valley, the digital travel industry looks more and more also into the direction of China: “The role as an important trend market will increase tremendously over the next years. Therefore, we are very happy to offer such an interesting access for companies focusing on China in the future” For more information about the ITB China market Introduction Programme: contact@ itb-china.com or visit www.itb-china.com/ about-us/market-introduction-program/ ITB CHINA NEWS • Wednesday 9 th May 2018 www.itb-china-news.com
NEWS 3 ADVERTORIAL South America Opens Its Arms to Chinese Travellers – Thanks to Operamerica Operamerica is a wholesale incoming tour operator focused on cultural and adventure groups in Central, South America and the Caribbean. They take the very best of each city or destination and present it in 2 or 3 days, then integrate it to a set of countries connected to a region in a short format so that the tourist knows more countries and destinations in the time he has prepared for his or her travel. We asked CEO Carlos E. Young to tell us more… Our tours include meal, lodging, entertainment, guides in Chinese throughout the journey and most importantly the air ticket throughout the circuit. That is, as a wholesaler, we pack the best of America at a low cost, so that wholesaler in China can offer a complete product at a reasonable price. We offer our products only to outbound tour operators and we look forward to work with some or just a handful wholesalers in China. How are tourism figures for Chinese outbound travellers progressing in South America, what are the prospects for the future, and why are more and more Chinese visitors heading for this region? I believe the future looks very promising. It is estimated that more than 2 million Chinese tourists visited Latin America last year, and this is less than 2% of Chinese tourists who travelled internationally. The main impediment is the flight distance and connections that add up to more than 30 flight hours, but things are changing rapidly. Chinese airlines are turning their focus to Latin America at the direction of their government, which wants a global presence from its airlines. Air China serves São Paulo, Brazil; La Havana, Cuba; and now Panama City, Panamá. China Southern covers Mexico City. What are your key aims at ITB China? Our main objective at ITB-China is to make agreements with outbound tours operators, while promoting Central, South America and the Caribbean through regional tours, so that Chinese tourists get the most out of visiting multiple destinations in each travel STAND No. 623 Carlos E. Young CEO, Operamerica ITB CHINA NEWS • Wednesday 9 th May 2018
