Antigua and Barbuda Seek to Venture into the Chinese Tourism Market

Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Minister John Maginley will speak to Chinese authorities later this month in Beijing about renewed efforts to tap into their tourism market.

The announcement came as newly appointed Chinese ambassador to Antigua and Barbuda Ren Gongping paid a courtesy call on the tourism minister.

Maginley believed the time had come for Antigua and Barbuda and, by extension, the Caribbean to do more to attract the attention of Chinese holidaymakers, adding that such a lucrative market would augur well for small states like his.

“The Chinese are going in great numbers to Europe and more will travel, but sun and sea destinations are not popular yet among them (Chinese).

“We have to seek out that niche and capitalise on it, and find activities also that will attract the Chinese,” he said.

During his visit to China, Maginley was expected to hold meetings with Chinese government officials on tourism related matters to include visas, airlift and product development.

As the Ministry of Tourism readies itself for the re-launch of its website, the minister said one way his department would seek to target Chinese tourists is through the creation of a brand new digital platform, where the information can be translated in Mandarin, making it more user-friendly.

Ambassador Ren Gongping during the meeting briefed Maginley on his schedule of activities planned for his Chinese visit.

In addition to tourism related matters, the minister will also hold discussions with officials overseeing the construction of the new terminal at the VC Bird International Airport, which Gongping said was on target for opening in the first quarter of 2014.

The new diplomat, who was appointed to Antigua and Barbuda following the retirement of Ambassador Liu Hanming in March, said his mission would be to continue strengthening the bilateral ties that exist between Antigua and Barbuda and China, through continued dialogue with the government, pledging his country’s commitment towards assisting in the further development of the local economy.