TravTalk India Online Magazine
Zhang Mingchi, Deputy Director General, Shandong Tourism Development Commission, aims to double the number of Indian arrivals to Shandong this year.
NISHA VERMA from SHANDONG
The Shandong region in Eastern China recently played host to Indian agents in association with Shandong Airlines, where they showcased major attractions of the region to the trade. Throwing light on its expectations from the India market, Zhang Mingchi says they received around 36,000 tourists from India in 2016, out of which half were business travellers and half leisure. The number of VFR travellers is only miniscule. However, Mingchi says they are adopting a number of promotional activities including Fam trips for the Indian trade.
“We have incentive policies for tour operators in the source markets. This year, we are enhancing the strength of the cooperation with the tour operators. For example, if operators have chartered flights, we’ll have subsidies for them. We also give incentives to the local operators in Shandong, depending on the business they are generating. We give incentives according to the number of tourists, especially on the increase over previous year. It’s a good policy for Indian tour operators as well,” he affirms.
Talking about the USP of the region, Mingchi says, “The climatic difference between India and Shandong is huge. We have four demarcated seasons and visitors can have different views in different seasons. Tourists can enjoy skiing and other such offerings during winters. In spring, we have a variety of blossoms across the region.” Mingchi believes that support from the travel trade and the right promotions, they would be able to score double the number of arrivals than last year. “We want to have around 70,000 arrivals from India in 2017. This is achievable through our constant efforts. In October, I will pay an official visit to India and meet industry partners, and I hope by then there would already be a lot of Indian people visiting Shandong,” he adds.
Agent incentive
- Incentives are given according to the number of tourists, especially on the increase over last year
“We have incentive policies for tour operators in the source markets. This year, we are enhancing the strength of the cooperation”- Zhang Mingchi Deputy Director General, Shandong Tourism Development Commission
