Are you #ChinaReady?
Having said bài bài to a super Tourism Ireland China group of Game of Thrones fans after a film site- packed 5 days we’re now reflecting on how we can be even more #ChinaReady in the future.
The Bespoke Team are certainly getting ready! We avoided hotel rooms with the number 4 and made sure the executive coach wasn’t white. We accommodated their dining preferences to include rice, hot water and ginger. Looking ahead to the future, we have signed up to basic language classes with our tour guide extraordinaire who is also a Chinese language teacher.
So how #ChinaReady is Northern Ireland?
The Titanic Belfast were the first business on the island of Ireland complete the Chinese Tourism Welcome training and proudly wear their badges which brings a smile to their Chinese visitors faces. The Europa came up trumps as it always does, with the Concierge team, Front Office, Chefs, Heads of Departments, GM’s and Sales teams all attending the training and have learnt 10 key phrases. Let’s test them when we’re next in!
Hastings Hotels Belfast properties supplied the nice added touch of translated welcome notes along with the translation on their website. They don’t allocate rooms on the 4th floor, try to use rooms with 8 in them, and now take Union Pay credit cards. They have even ordered in red ducks and napkins!
It’s definitely about a whole city approach. Ahead of the curve is Mourne Seafood Restaurant who a few years ago linked in with a local contact to translate their menus and website for them – and wow, do this tourist market like their seafood!
Outbound travel from China is estimated to reach a phenomenal 200 million by 2020 according to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation. So, as we prepare for an unprecedented increase of Chinese visitors to our country, ask yourself – what is your business doing to really make the most of this lucrative visitor market?
They really do seem to adore Northern Ireland’s countryside, space, tranquillity and not forgetting The Titanic Belfast! They love the global phenomenon Game of Thrones, our unique Giant’s Causeway and of course- the shopping!
Let’s get #ChinaReady together!
