Paris Airports, IHG join 'Welcome Chinese' program
- By Zhang Rui
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E-mail China.org.cn, April 14, 2015
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| Mathieu Daubert, retail director of Aéroports de Paris, speaks at the forum "Dialogue on the Future of Chinese Travel" in Beijing on April 13, 2015. [China.org.cn] |
Executives from Paris Airports and the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), which have received the "Welcome Chinese" hospitality certification, took part in a forum in Beijing to discuss China's future outbound tourism.
In recent years, China's overseas tourism market has been booming. In 2014, the number of outbound Chinese travelers soared to 100 million, surpassing the United States. Chinese tourists also spent the most money when they were abroad. According to a forecast by the China National Tourism Administration, the number of outbound Chinese tourists will reach 200 million by 2030.
The "Welcome Chinese Certification" program, initiated in 2012 and developed and issued by the China Tourism Academy and the marketing and communications firm Select Holding Ltd, is a new hospitality standard specifically dedicated to Chinese travelers outside their own country. China Tourism Academy's sponsorship guarantees uniformity in the quality of service and supports all certified businesses in entering the Chinese travel industry.
Dai Bin, president of the China Tourism Academy; Jacopo Sertoli, president of "Welcome Chinese"; Mathieu Daubert, retail director of the Aéroports de Paris (Paris Airports) group; Kenneth Macpherson, chief executive of Greater China at Intercontinental Hotels Group; Maurizio Del Santoro, director of global marketing for Trenitalia State Railways Group; Ding Linrun, executive from China UnionPay; and Jiang Feng, president of China Travel Services attended the forum themed "Dialogue on The Future of Chinese Travel" in Beijing on April 13 to explore the opportunities and challenges the Chinese tourism market will bring to the global tourism industry. They all agreed the Chinese market potential is huge and will work hard to meet hospitality demands.
Paris Airports' Mathieu Daubert said the increase of Chinese tourists has made the airports realize the increasing importance of the China market. He said "Welcome Chinese Certification" is also very important, and will inspire them to make sure Chinese travelers get the best services.
Charles De Gaulle Airport under Paris Airports has already been given "Welcome Chinese Certification." Daubert noted that Terminal 2E of the airport has been renovated and built the newly designed Hall K over 15 months. The airport will provide Chinese services including maps, menus, guides and Chinese-speaking staff and festival decorations and benefits for Chinese tourists.
Kenneth Macpherson also announced InterContinental Hotels Group's "China Ready Program" and partnership with the "Welcome Chinese" program. The program will ensure Chinese tourists get Chinese services such as China UnionPay service, Chinese guides, TV channels, staff and 24-hour Chinese service. More than 10,000 staff from IHG's hotels around the world are now receiving training in Chinese services and more than 250 hotels around the world under the brand of IHG will offer "China Ready Program" services by the end of 2015, he said.
Currently, "Welcome Chinese" has expanded to 250 regions in 32 countries around the world. The certifications have been given to other tourism areas besides hotels and airports, including train networks, theme parks, restaurants, museums, and car rental services.
Dai Bin, president of the China Tourism Academy, said the "Welcome Chinese" program will be steadily enhanced and promoted to the world, and Chinese tourists will enjoy much higher quality trips in the future.
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