New Orleans makes marketing push towards Chinese tourists

World Today

Tourism between China and the U.S. is thriving. Chinese tourists spend billions overseas each year, and there has always been a “must see” group of cities in the U.S.

However, secondary markets for tourists have emerged, with other cities spending big money to bring Chinese tourists to town.

CGTN’s Sean Callebs reports from New Orleans.

New Orleans has been a “go-to” spot for U.S. tourists. Now the city has decided there is a wealth of visitors they want to spend more time and money courting. The New Orleans Convention and Tourism Bureau is spending 30 percent of its annual budget to lure the growing Chinese middle class.

New Orleans just signed a contract with a Chinese tourist company. Stevie Garcia, CEO of New Orleans Custom Tours, has spent a lot of time with tour groups coming from Beijing, Shanghai and other cities.

“You can do whatever you want here; our architecture[…]the birthplace of Jazz, very popular food. We have some of the greatest food in the world. We always compete with New York City and they have 15-times as many people as we do,” Garcia explained.

A few years ago, New Orleans was deciding where to put their promotional money: Brazil or China. City leaders believe they are building the foundation to attract Chinese tourists who come to the U.S. to visit, New York, Washington, D.C., or San Francisco.