London has created Chinese-language website to promote city In an effort to boost the numbers of tourists, students and investments from the second largest economy in the world, London has created a Chinese-language website to promote the city. London Mayor Boris Johnson unveiled the website london.cn during a trade mission to China over the weekend. The site targets prospective tourists and students with information including profiles of London universities; a first-time visitor’s guide with suggested itineraries; practical travel advice; a virtual tour of the city; and personal support via Sina Weibo, the Chinese version of Twitter.
Tourism offices the world over are clamoring over a slice of the Chinese tourist market and for good reason.
Earlier this year, a report out of the UN found that Chinese travelers are the world’s biggest tourism spenders, splashing out $102 billion USD (78 billion euros) on trips abroad last year.
After China, travelers from Germany and the US spent the most on trips abroad, spending around $84 billion each in 2012.
China is London’s number one market for international students. Last year, the city hosted a record 15,000 Chinese students. And while traditionally the most popular field of study has been business and commerce, a growing number of students from China are enrolling in creative arts and design -- 35 percent in 2012.
Similarly, the city experienced a record year for attracting Chinese visitors, playing host to 104,000 tourists in 2012 (up 28 percent from 2011) who pumped £104 million into the local economy.
Visit the website at http://london.cn/.
Source: Relaxnews