SPANISH rail company Renfe has signed a partnership deal with consultancy company Chinese Friendly to promote its discount train passes to Chinese travellers.
Under the agreement, Renfe’s passes for between four and 12 train trips during a calendar month will be featured in Chinese Friendly’s catalogue, making it the first European rail system to do so.
A spokeswoman from Renfe said the company has no forecasts as to how well the passes are expected to sell. “But we decided to go ahead after checking on the large number of Chinese who were checking our website,” she said.
The company is giving its staff basic language and culture courses in preparation for Chinese travellers, and will participate in at least two tourism fairs in China this year.
Chinese Friendly has established itself as a consultant for the Chinese market into Spain and has held training and communication courses for hotels in leading Spanish cities.
It also organised a Chinese Friendly Cities conference to help prepare the Spanish tourism industry in Seville last year and is planning a second for Zaragoza in March 2014.
