Local tourism website receives warm welcome in China

THE NELSON MANDELA Bay Tourism (NMBT) foray started on a high note with high profile media coverage when it successfully launched its mandarin website (http://www.nmbtcn.com) in Beijing and signed letter of intent with the General Secretary of Asia Art Expo (also known as Asia Arts Top Show) during their visit to the country as part of the South African Tourism (SAT) China workshop entourage.

The website’s launch forms part of NMBT’s strategy in marketing the city during their ten day visit to the country from June 3rd to 12th. The objective of signing the letter of intent is to develop an exchange programme between artists and creating an international awareness of Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB).

“The launch was extremely well attended” said an excited NMBT CEO, Mandlakazi Skefile from Beijing yesterday.  “This is the time and place to further our city’s exposure on an international capacity – the Mandarin website is just the first step of achieving this. By translating the website content into Mandarin it has made Nelson Mandela Bay and its offerings just that much more accessible to this audience, and is a proof of our ongoing commitment to grow the city’s presence in the Chinese markets.” she added.

CCTV, China’s largest television station, along with the state owned internet news website, Xin Hus, and many others, covered the event extensively.

“Workshops like this create a number of opportunities for NMBT to market our wonderful city’s treasures. It is a platform for building international relationships with significant tourism bodies from around the world. After gaining international exposure from events like Meetings Africa and Indaba right here at home, it is to our advantage to keep that momentum going – on international soil, none the less,” she added.

Among the dignitaries at the launch was the Important Events Promotion Centre of Beijing Tourism committee representative, Mr Xiaoyong Shi, Chinese tourism industry marketing celebrity and Executive chairperson of Donghua International Travel Services, Mr Chunlin Song, representatives from U-Tours and Huayuan Tours (recently  recognized by SAT as two of the top three Chinese tour operators bringing large tour groups to South Africa) and representatives of more than thirty other tour opetators and media .

The event will be featured on Global Travel Channel Hong Kong and Cina Travel Online.  Skefile said that Moonlight Travel magazine has offered a free feature on the city following discussions at the launch.

In addition the launch also enjoyed the support of various honourable guests from China Central Government and international business associations.

NMBT marketing representative for the Chinese markets and coordinator of the event , Mr Andi An, described the launch of the website as hugely successful. According to An, more than two years of research and preparations have preceded the launch of this project.

He went on to commend Skefile and Titus Chuene, NMBT Marketing manager, for their ‘vision, professionalism and business acumen’ that contributed to the actualization of a comprehensive marketing plan for the Chinese markets.

SA Tourism’s Regional Manager for Asia Pacific, Bradley Brouwer, said that NMBT’s proactive approach has grabbed the attention of both the Asians operators and media.  He said that NMBT’s presence on the SAT stand has made an indelible impact and has pledged SAT’s full support to any marketing activities undertaken in the asian markets.  “Their professionalism and dedication is a refreshing when compared to the often lack-lustered  overtures by provincial and destination marketing entities – they are speaking with passion and know their business and that is making all the difference ” Brouwer added.  

The NMBT entourage will depart for Shangai and Hong Kong this morning (subs: Thursday) where they will be meeting with various government directed associations, tour operators and will initiate contact with the Beijing and Shanghai Tourism Bureaus.