SWITZERLAND registered a 50 per cent rise in Chinese arrivals between January and February, while its second most populous city, Geneva, saw a 37.2 per cent increase over the same period.
According to representatives of Switzerland Tourism and Geneva Tourism & Conventions, who exhibited at IT&CM China for the first time, business tourism and events are the drivers of the Chinese arrival boom.
Geneva Tourism & Conventions director, Anja Loetscher, said: “About 75 to 80 per cent of our business in Geneva is business tourism and (most are) from Ningbo (in Zhejiang province). We are seeing a greater number of visitors coming from the green industries. Last year we had 300 delegates from Ningbo coming in for a big conference, and this September, we are expecting another 300 from the city.”
Switzerland Tourism sales manager, Jeffrey Wang, said the last two to three years had seen a dramatic increase in the number of Chinese incentive groups to the country. These groups range from 20 to 300 pax, and are from investment banks, insurance, direct sales and chemical companies.
Said Wang: “We want to increase the number of visa applications by helping Chinese travel (companies) improve their communication with the embassy and consulate on visa application procedures. We are also inviting Chinese corporate clients on familiarisation trips.”
The bureau will be hosting Chinese buyers from IMEX this year for a four-day post-event tour.
Reporting by Patricia Wee
