Today, officials representing LA Tourism and the China National Tourism Administration came together at the Sheraton Gateway in Los Angeles to announce the launch of NiHao China, a new marketing strategy designed to grow Chinese tourism to Los Angeles.
On hand to announce the new program were Ernest Wooden Jr., president and CEO of LA Tourism, and Dr. Xinjun Wang, CEO of Ivy Alliance Tourism Consulting, a group representing the China National Tourism Administration. The program is a portfolio of training, international marketing campaigns and promotional initiatives, all with the goal of providing tools for Los Angeles' tourism and hospitality businesses to help make the city a more attractive destination for Chinese tourists. Among the new initiatives are the NiHao China Training and Certification Program, the Shop L.A. Program, LA Tourism's Chinese language "Hello L.A." website and Chinese language visitor guide, a consumer marketing campaign in China and a media campaign for international meetings and conventions.
China is currently Los Angeles' No. 1 overseas tourism market, drawing a record 570,000 Chinese visitors in 2013.
Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board President & CEO Ernest Wooden Jr. talks to Chinese media at the launch of the "NiHao China" marketing initiatives.