IRT’s China workshop paves the way for better destination marketing

REUNION TOURISM TARGETS CHINESE MARKET

(Posted 05th February 2014)

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IRT, in full Ile de la Reunion Tourism, on Monday held a workshop session at their offices with Prof. Dr. Arlt, Founder and Director of the China Outbound Tourism Research Institute, to gain insight into the do’s and don’ts when marketing the island to the Chinese market.

High on the agenda were issues surrounding the branding and setting Reunion apart in the eye of the Chinese traveler from other islands, not too difficult a proposition as Reunion after all is so very different from most of the other Vanilla Islands also vying from the same market.

Air connections were named as a challenge, when coming from China and increased cruise ship connections with neighbouring islands was put forward too to enhance the product range for visitors. Getting to know the habits of Chinese travelers and having guides, staff in resorts as well as in restaurants and at other service providers adapt to such requirements, was also mentioned in the workshop and extensively discussed.

Reunion is presently working on a bilateral deal with China to allow Chinese citizens to visit the island, which after all is part of the European Union, to get a Visa waiver arrangement into place, similar to the one with South Africa which has over the past months led to an sharp rise of visitors from there, also encouraged by regular flights of Air Austral, the island’s home carrier. Visit www.reunion.fr for more information about the island and its unique attractions or visit www.air-austral.com for details how to fly to St. Denis, the island’s capital.