12 Dec, 2016
Welcoming Our Chinese Visitors
We have been preparing for significant growth in Chinese visitor numbers with China Southern Airlines’ new direct service landing today. The welcome mat is being rolled out with initiatives such as taxi stickers, maps, signage, pavement decals, banners and some iconic SA products as gifts for our special guests.
Recognising the economic opportunity, earlier this year, Council set about fast-tracking ways to welcome visitors from China and better direct them to key tourist destinations in the city.
Lord Mayor Martin Haese said the influx of visitors was exciting for the city and represented opportunities for local businesses to benefit.
“It is clear that more and more tourists from China are choosing to visit Adelaide and we are doing everything possible to help them navigate the city and make their stay even more enjoyable,” said Martin.
“It is estimated our economy will get an approximate $1 million boost with each China Southern plane landing, so the initiatives led by Council are also a great way to help local businesses make the most of this.
“It’s also important to note that Council has already done a great deal of work in this space and has been helping businesses get ‘China Ready’ over the last three years.
“Initiatives have included China Ready workshops with small businesses, delivered in partnership with the various organisations that offer Chinese culture and awareness training.”
Council has focused on creating a positive digital experience using ‘WeChat’ as its main channel to connect and engage with Chinese tourists and support their stay.
Over 30 City based businesses are currently participating in a Council led program that educates on how to best leverage this exciting new opportunity. These businesses will be promoted on the new ‘Welcome’ WeChat channel and will likely form the foundation for an ongoing program.
Council has also partnered with Taxi Council SA to provide every taxi through the airport with a dashboard sticker that welcomes guests in Mandarin, includes a QR code linking to the Wechat channel and Council’s tourism page on the website full of tips and suggestions for tourists.
Several other exciting initiatives are planned including:
Signage: Physical bilingual signage in English and Mandarin will be erected marking each of the eight city attractions featured in Council’s visitor map. Further bilingual signage will be erected assisting visitors with wayfinding between each of the eight destinations.
Multilingual ‘welcome’ banners: Will be erected on existing infrastructure along Grote Street between West Terrace and Morphett Street. These banners will welcome visitors to Adelaide in Mandarin, as well as a variety of other languages from Adelaide’s Sister Cities and other major international visitor sectors.
Charlesworth Nuts have come to the party, providing a complimentary ‘welcome pack’ at Adelaide Airport for visitors on the inaugural China Southern flight.
Pavement decals, outdoor digital screens and a wide range of other initiatives will also be in place to welcome new Chinese visitors, encouraging them to make the most of their time here in Adelaide whilst supporting local businesses to grow.
For more information, visit: www.cityofadelaide.com.au/explore