Seattle billing itself as a destination for tourists from China could benefit Vancouver

SEATTLE (NEWS 1130) – China’s president Xi Jinping was in Seattle this week on the first leg of his trip to the US. The Emerald City used it as a chance to market itself as a destination for Chinese tourists.

That city’s push should have a positive spillover effect here.

“I’m not concerned. I think anything that draws attention to the Pacific Northwest is good for us. I think Seattle and Vancouver are often cities that enjoyed in combination by the Chinese when they do come here,” says Steve Pearce with Tourism Vancouver.

The short distance between the two cities is one reason, as some of those tourists may wind up here inadvertently.

Pearce says it’s not a case of direct competition.

“The US has such strong media recognition that oftentimes, it’s the first choice for a Chinese traveller. But as they get to Vancouver, they discover just how different we are and what an interesting experience it is here.”

“Oftentimes, we attract people who come in through Seattle up to Vancouver,” he points out.

The goal is to keep them coming back or at least have them give positive reviews.

Pearce says Chinese tourism is booming, as more people from that country look to head overseas for a vacation.

“That’s being fuelled by the increasing affluence of the Chinese economy, the fact that there is a lot more domestic travel. And that acts as a bit of an incubation for Chinese to travel internationally.”

Tourism Vancouver directly targets Chinese tourists.

“We do things direct to consumer that get the Chinese to pay attention to us and we push it through social media in China to try to create buzz and visibility for Vancouver and British Columbia. We’re starting to make inroads,” says Pearce.

China is one of Vancouver’s largest international tourism partners.