October 11 2013
Benefits already obvious to SI tourism operators
More than a thousand businesspeople from Nelson to Invercargill are already seeing benefits of recent training in
working with Chinese visitors.
Over the past month, business and tourism operators have attended workshops called “Becoming China Ready”. The
interactive workshops are being offered through ‘South’, the Christchurch Airport-led initiative which promotes the
South Island as a tourism destination.
Manager of ‘South’, Dave Hawkey, says the workshops have covered everything from why China is important to New Zealand
and ways to facilitate better business interaction, to tips on business behaviour and etiquette.
“We are working with Occam Consulting, a firm which specialises in assisting Westerners to work with China and vice
versa,” says Mr Hawkey. “We’ve held workshops in 20 different centres so far and all attendees have been overwhelmingly
positive.
“They know Chinese travellers make up the second biggest number of travellers into New Zealand and so keeping the
travellers’ needs and preferences in mind will benefit the whole South Island.”
Christchurch Airport CEO Jim Boult says the China travel market has changed in recent years.
“Chinese travellers have “discovered” the South Island and want to spend more time here, travel more comfortably, see
our iconic scenery and experience the various offerings,” he says. “These travellers are looking for a quality southern
experience, so operators want to understand how to make that the best it can be.”
Tourism West Coast chief executive Jim Little says he’s already hearing success stories from the workshops.
“One Franz Josef motelier had their website translated into Chinese at a significant cost, but reports it paid for
itself within 48 hours,” he says. “A major Hokitika retailer has all staff learning Chinese phrases and is already
seeing it paying dividends.”
Destination Marlborough general manager Tracy Johnston agrees.
“I’ve had nothing but positive feedback to the workshops, with operators saying it is one of the best they’ve ever
attended,” she says. “Some have told me their only regret is not sending every staff member.”
Jim Boult has no doubt the number of Chinese travellers coming south will grow.
“The South Island has what these travellers want to see – mountains, lakes, glaciers, wide open spaces, big blue skies –
and travellers come looking for the places they see in the travel brochures. At the moment, the South Island only sees
25% of Chinese arrivals into New Zealand, but more are coming south.”
He says more are also beginning to explore areas off the beaten track and seeking South Island places to do that.
ENDS