REGIONAL DMO Capital Region USA, which represents Washington, DC, Virginia and Maryland, is keen to boost the China market with an extra US$800,000 marketing budget this year, having added Hong Kong to its annual sales mission in China.
Capital Region USA president & CEO, Matt Gaffney, said: “We visited Chengdu and Guangzhou before coming to Hong Kong. Our goal is to create awareness and educate the trade and media about our destination.
“In 2015, we will work closely with Brand Story plus partner with Air China, which inaugurated its four-weekly, Beijing-Washington route last June. In fact, Asia is ranked as the top market, registering double-digit growth last year. It is a star in terms of arrivals. China even surpassed the UK for the first time, delivering the highest traffic of 285,000 visitors.
“Another favourable development is the reciprocal 10-year multiple-entry visa access policy for business and tourist travel in both countries since last November.”
Explaining the solo mission in China, president and CEO for Washington DC, Elliot Ferguson, said: “Unlike other popular states, we are not that well known, so it’s good to come alone and build (awareness of) our destination before joining hands with the others.
“We hope to build a relationship with travel consultants and target organising our first fam tour this year, followed by more next year. The consultants can spend three to four days in DC.”
Martens Law, assistant manager for international travel, Smartcom, said: “We have branches in the capital and regularly arrange trips for company partners and staff from China. Washington DC is a good option and I would like to learn what the destination can offer.”
