December

29

Welcome Chinese launched in Portugal

by Welcome Chinese

categories Activities Report Meeting

tags Certification China Lisbon Portugal tourism Welcome Chinese

news

On November 27th, the Welcome Chinese program and certification were introduced in Portugal. The seminar, co-hosted by the Portuguese Tourism Institute and the China Tourism Academy and held in Lisbon, was an official event involving banks and the Chinese-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce, plus Beijing’s ambassador in Lisbon. It was the occasion for officials from both sides to discuss the current situation and the prospects of the tourism industry in the two countries in order to promote further development.

A SPECIAL EFFORT - João Cotrim de Figueiredo, President of the Turismo de Portugal institute – which comes under the remit of the Portuguese Ministry of Economy – represented the national institutions during the seminar. A number of local tourism businesses were present. As press coverage of the event made clear, the Welcome Chinese international certification system acknowledges businesses that make a special effort to serve Chinese tourists and business travelers. It sets standards in several business categories for hospitality aimed at Chinese travelers and is the only one accredited by the China Tourism Academy.

The event was organized by Select Holding, of which Welcome Chinese Ltd is part, together with the business consultancy Edeluc, the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Portuguese-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

MORE THAN A CERTIFICATION SERVICE - The Welcome Chinese international certification scheme was launched in Beijing in October 2013 and, since then, more than 500 tourism-related businesses all over the world have been certified. Jacopo Sertoli, President of Welcome Chinese, explained that it is not just the official recognition of various services tailored on the needs of the Chinese traveler; Welcome Chinese also guarantees visibility at road shows and tourism fairs held annually throughout China. If they wish, partners can be flanked by company’s staff and attend in person. Partners are also regularly promoted to Chinese tourism operators and travel agencies and consumers via newsletter and Chinese social networks (i.e. WeChat).

MARKET ON THE RISE - According to the magazine Turisver, in the first nine months of 2015 the number of Chinese guests staying in Portugal increased 37.7% compared to the same period last year. The Portuguese National Statistics Institute and Bank of Portugal says there were 110,000 Chinese visitors this year, spending approximately 50 million euros. The country still lags behind “tourism giants” like France or Germany, but developing and then publicizing proper skills for this huge new wave of tourists is a prerequisite for attracting them.

In the picture, from left to right: Mr. Fernando Costa Freire, Managing Partner Edeluc and Vice-President at Portuguese-Chinese Chamber of Commerce; Mr. Dai Bin, President of China Tourism Academy; Mr. João Cotrim De Figueiredo, President Tourism of Portugal, I.P. – Tourism Board; Mr. Jacopo Sertoli, President of Welcome Chinese.

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Recent Comments

Commented by Bill Frankish, 29.08.2017

We at the Candlewood Suites Calgary Airport North, closely located to the Calgary airport YYC, have been certified by the China Tourism Academy as having reached the JADE STANDARD of "Welcome Chinese" Certification. As such we greet each guest with a special Welcome envelope with Chinese information on our extended stay hotel. Guests receive slippers, tea, and have access to kettles and rice cookers at no charge. Some items are available in our little convenience store called The Cupboard, and there is a Chinese Super Market about 2 kilometers away which has a full selection of food items, commonly found in China, including live fish. Also at the same shopping area, an authentic Chinese Restaurant called The T. Pot , China Bistro From our location we have easy access to main highways to take you to Banff National Park, or the Royal Tyrrell Museum, an excellent Dinosaur museum. Candlewood Suites is an excellent location with cooking facilities which provides a great home base as you travel to various attractions in the area.