Costa Brava Girona Tourist Board plans to attract Chinese visitors

From http://www.diaridegirona.cat/comarques/2014/01/23/turisme-girona-centra-esforcos-mercat/653171.html (in Catalan)

The director of the Costa Brava Girona Tourist Board, Ramon Ramos, has explained that this organization will start working on the promotion of the region in the Chinese market, to prepare the ground for the boom that has been forecast for the next three to four years. To help with the process, the Board has signed a native Chinese young girl that will work on the preparation of a database containing the whole tourist offer from Costa Brava (布拉瓦海岸) and on advising on the needs, tastes and preferences of the Chinese market.

[caption id="attachment_2846" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The Costa Brava, north of the Creus Cape[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2847" align="alignleft" width="300"] The fishing port from El Port de la Selva[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2848" align="alignleft" width="225"] Fishing near the mouth of the Ter river in central Costa Brava[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2850" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Cala Boadella in Lloret de Mar, southern Costa Brava[/caption]

Taiwanese delegation visits Girona to learn from its touristic promotion

From http://bit.ly/1gX3nxp (in Catalan)

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="336"] Taiwanese delegation visits Girona to learn from its touristic promotion[/caption]

A group of 17 entrepreneurs and university professors from Taiwan have recently visited the city of Girona. Their main interest was to learn about the public-private cooperation on the promotion of touristic activities, specially on the business and conference sectors. This visit has been organized by the Barcelona office of the Taiwan Trade Center. They have been received by Ms. Marta Madrenas, Deputy Mayor of the city of Girona and in charge of the city's promotion. She has introduced the assets of Girona as an attractive destination for both family and conference tourism. Ms. Madrenas has stated that for the city of Girona it was very positive to hold this kind of meetings and has highlighted the "importance to meet groups of tourism professionals that later can spread the word about the city and recommend it once they are back in their home countries". She also mentioned the degree of interest shown by the Taiwanese delegation to learn from the Girona experience and remarked the efforts done by the city council "to promote the city as a touristic and cultural destination". The Taiwanese delegation ended up their stay in Girona visiting the Scientific and Technological Park.

Laketània Tours ready to bring Chinese tourists to Catalonia

From http://www.laketaniatours.com/ca/blog/laketania-tours-preparada-per-portar-turisme-xines-a-catalunya/ (in Catalan)

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="144"] Laketània Tours' Chinese Tourist Welcoming Quality Host certification (image from Laketània Tours website)[/caption]

Girona-based travel agency Laketània Tours has recently been awarded with the certification "Chinese Tourist Welcoming Quality Host" (欢迎中国游客优质服务商), a label that guarantees that its staff has the adequate knowledge to deal with Chinese tourists, taking into account their preferences and cultural expectations as well as adapting their products to fit their specific requirements. Laketània Tours is the first Catalan travel agency and the second one in Europe to obtain this certification.

赫罗纳的Laketània Tours已经获得“欢迎中国游客优质服务商”的认证。这项认证代表其工作人员具备足够的知识来接待中国游客，且重视他们的喜好和文化取向，并有能力提供合适的旅行规划以符合他们的特殊需求。Laketània Tours是第一个在加泰隆尼亚地区，同时也是第二个在欧洲地区通过这项认证的旅行社。

 

Catalan workshop on the development of Chinese tour operators

From http://workshops.catalunya.com/wsxina2011 (in Catalan)

The Catalan Tourism Agency has recently organized a workshop aimed at Chinese tour operators in order to bring tourists to Catalonia. The event has been designed to promote holiday and cultural packages and has been hosted by Casa Àsia in Barcelona.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="614" caption="Catalan workshop on Chinese tour operators (Image from workshop website)"][/caption]

6,000 Chinese travel agents will learn about tourism in Catalonia

From http://comunicatur.info/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1665&Itemid=1 (in Catalan)

The Guangzhou University and the Catalan Toursim Agency (ACT, Agència Catalana de Turisme) have prepared an online course aimed at teaching Chinese travel agents about Catalonia and its touristic resources. This course will be followed by 6,000 professional travel agents of Hong Kong and of the Guangdong province in July and October 2011 and it will consist of 21 units prepared by both Catalan and Chinese professors at the Guangzhou University. According to the Catalan government, this is a pioneer initiative in the Chinese market and if it turns to be successful it could be later applied to other Chinese provinces or to other Asian countries. China has become one of the most important touristic sources in the world and in Catalonia alone it has grown by a 40% in the last 5 years. The city of Barcelona was the main destination of the 65,000 Chinese tourists that came to Catalonia in 2010.

A set of lifetime experiences in Costa Brava

Now, a recommended link!

Velvet Escape blog perfectly summarizes in a set of pics and a few lines what are the main unique experiences you can live when visiting Costa Brava. From the culinary excellence of El Celler de Can Roca and El Bulli to a skydive in Empuriabrava, a visit to the Dalí Museum in Figueres or Dalí's house in Portlligat, to a stroll in Girona's old city.

Go to Once in a lifetime experiences in Costa Brava to see all the fun those guys had and that you can also have!

But first get a taste of what the link has with these pictures of our own!

[caption id="attachment_616" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Medieval city of Besalú[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_619" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Santa Clotilde Gardens, Lloret de Mar[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_618" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Dalí Museum, Figueres[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_617" align="aligncenter" width="300"] View of Portlligat bay from Dalí's house in Cadaqués[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_621" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Girona by the Onyar river[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_620" align="aligncenter" width="300"] A beautiful corner in Girona's old city[/caption]

The Costa Brava touristic development explained in Chengdu

Professor Lluís Mundet, Dean of the Faculty of Tourism of the University of Girona has recently given a presentation entitled "The Spanish Tourism Model. New strategies of tourism regeneration in mature tourist resorts. The Costa Brava as an example" in the the School of History and Culture (Tourism) of the Sichuan University in Chengdu. The above link explains how well accepted was his detailed presentation and the warm atmosphere in the classroom, in which probably there were many of the future touristic professionals in the Chengdu area.

Michelin launches a Taiwanese Green Guide

From http://foreigner.tncg.gov.tw/en/home.jsp?key=null&mserno=5&serno=9&menudata=EnglishMenu&contlink=ap%2F02_4announce_view.jsp&dataserno=201102160001 (in English)

Due to the fact that Michelin has recently launched a a Green Guide Taiwan and seems to be preparing a Taiwanese Red Guide, the Tourism Bureau of Tainan City Government is organizing three "Tainan Michelin three-star rating tour" routes combining historical sites, tour spots, and the delicious local 小吃 (pinyin: xiaochi; "small food"). Sinalunya team has been in Tainan and wants to prove that the place and its food are worth a visit!

[caption id="attachment_448" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Different xiaochi dishes in a restaurant in Tainan"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="288" caption="Fish soup in a restaurant in Tainan"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_449" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Chikan Tower, Tainan"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_450" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Entrance to the Tainan Confucian Temple"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_451" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Tainan Confucian Temple"][/caption]

 

China backs Spain by acquiring more debt

From http://www.expansion.com/2011/04/12/economia/1302595011.html (in Spanish)

Chinese prime minister Wen Jiabao has announced today to Spanish president José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero that China will keep on acquiring more debt, as done in the recent months, and will also invest in Spanish saving banks. José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has thanked Wen Jiabao for the Chinese support during the toughest moments in which international finantial markets showed little trust in Spanish economy. José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero’s words are explained by the fact that Spanish debt in Chinese hands has grown from 4% in 2009 to the present 12%. In turn, Wen Jiabao has declared Spain as China’s best friend in Europe, whereas Li Keqiang has congratulated Spanish government by the measures undertaken in order to improve the situation of the economy. He has also declared his impression that Spain is back to the path of sustained growth and shown interest in the import of Spanish agricultural products. José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and minister Miguel Sebastián have invited Chinese officials to invest in Spanish ports and in the privatization process of airports, and to consider Spain as a prominent destination for Chinese tourists.

Cadaqués recreated in Xiamen bay

From http://www.catalannewsagency.com/news/life-style/costa-brava-village-cadaqu%C3%A9s-will-be-copied-china (in English)

As already published here in sinalunya.com on October 8th, 2010, under the title of "Coastal village of Cadaqués to be recreated in Xiamen, China", Catalan News Agency reports on March 31st, 2011 that the project is starting to take shape, although it will not be finished until 2018. Chinese architects are determined to capture every detail in order to reproduce the village of Cadaqués in Zhangzhou, a city in the Xiamen bay, where the figure of Salvador Dalí will also play an iconic role.

 

[caption id="attachment_400" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="General view of Cadaqués"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_401" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Closer view of the church in Cadaqués"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_402" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Street by the sea in Cadaqués"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_403" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Street of Cadaqués in bloom"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_404" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="General view of Cadaqués"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_405" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Seaside view of Cadaqués"][/caption]

Spanish touristic strategy disclosed in China

From http://www.icex.es/icex/cda/controller/pageICEX/0,6558,5518394_5519005_6366453_4414602,00.html (in Spanish)

November 16^th, 2010, is the date chosen for the Spanish Tourism Institute to engage on a meeting with Chinese touristic authorities and disclose its marketing strategy that so successfully has promoted tourism in Spain.

Spain is the third country in the world in terms of touristic activity. It receives annually 57.3 million visitors, closely followed by China, which is supposed to be the most visited country in the world in the next decade. Chinese authorities are interested in learning the details of the touristic promotion and business in Spain in order to adapt them to their own development intentions.

Joint branding effort of Pyrenees territories

From http://www.catalannewsagency.com/news/life-style/pyrenees-brand (in English)

The Pyrenean and Pre-Pyrenean counties of Pallars Jussà, Pallars Sobirà, Alt Urgell, Alta Ribagorça, Val d'Aran, Solsonès, Berguedà, Garrotxa, Alt Empordà, Cerdanya and Ripollès are starting a joint effort for food branding in order to achieve a broader outreach of their gastronomic products. This new Pyrenees brand will also help advertise other attractions of the area, from romanesque architecture to ski stations or to hiking trails in the mountains.

Joint branding effort of Pyrenees territories

From http://www.catalannewsagency.com/news/life-style/pyrenees-brand (in English)

The Pyrenean and Pre-Pyrenean counties of Pallars Jussà, Pallars Sobirà, Alt Urgell, Alta Ribagorça, Val d'Aran, Solsonès, Berguedà, Garrotxa, Alt Empordà, Cerdanya and Ripollès are starting a joint effort for food branding in order to achieve a broader outreach of their gastronomic products. This new Pyrenees brand will also help advertise other attractions of the area, from romanesque architecture to ski stations or to hiking trails in the mountains.

Tourism rises in Catalonia in September

From http://www.catalannewsagency.com/news/business/tourism-rises-9-september-compared-last-year (in English)

Tourism activity has increased by 9% during September 2010 as compared to the same month of last year, according to the figures released by the Catalan Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce. Since the beginning of 2010, the overall increase in visitors to Catalonia is estimated at 3.7%, which represents more than 10 million tourists in these first 9 months.

Tourism rises in Catalonia in September

From http://www.catalannewsagency.com/news/business/tourism-rises-9-september-compared-last-year (in English)

Tourism activity has increased by 9% during September 2010 as compared to the same month of last year, according to the figures released by the Catalan Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce. Since the beginning of 2010, the overall increase in visitors to Catalonia is estimated at 3.7%, which represents more than 10 million tourists in these first 9 months.

Catalan expectations on Chinese tourism in Spain

From http://www.lavanguardia.es/economia/noticias/20100528/53936402820/catalunya-aspira-a-concentrar-dos-tercios-del-turismo-chino-en-espana.html (in Spanish)

Catalonia is expecting to maintain and even improve the portion of Chinese tourists visiting Spain every year. Up to now, Catalonia is receiving two thirds of the total number of Chinese tourists coming annually to Spain. Catalan Minister of Trade, Tourism and Consumer Affairs of the Generalitat de Catalunya, Josep Huguet, states that Catalonia has many interesting items for foreign visitors, such as the city of Barcelona, the FC Barcelona (popularly known as "Barça"), the present-day innovative Catalan cuisine, led by chefs Ferran Adrià, Carme Ruscalleda, Joan Roca and Santi Santamaria, and the varied landscapes and heritage monuments scattered in the country. According to forecasts by the UN World Tourism Organization, Chinese market is expected to grow beyong 100 million tourists by 2020.

Catalan expectations on Chinese tourism in Spain

From http://www.lavanguardia.es/economia/noticias/20100528/53936402820/catalunya-aspira-a-concentrar-dos-tercios-del-turismo-chino-en-espana.html (in Spanish)

Catalonia is expecting to maintain and even improve the portion of Chinese tourists visiting Spain every year. Up to now, Catalonia is receiving two thirds of the total number of Chinese tourists coming annually to Spain. Catalan Minister of Trade, Tourism and Consumer Affairs of the Generalitat de Catalunya, Josep Huguet, states that Catalonia has many interesting items for foreign visitors, such as the city of Barcelona, the FC Barcelona (popularly known as "Barça"), the present-day innovative Catalan cuisine, led by chefs Ferran Adrià, Carme Ruscalleda, Joan Roca and Santi Santamaria, and the varied landscapes and heritage monuments scattered in the country. According to forecasts by the UN World Tourism Organization, Chinese market is expected to grow beyong 100 million tourists by 2020.

Coastal village of Cadaqués to be recreated in Xiamen, China

From http://www.emporda.info/economia/2010/06/28/cadaques-made-in-xina/82421.html (in Catalan)

Members from the China Zhang Zhou company have visited the village of Cadaqués (Girona, Catalonia) in order to recreate it in Xiamen (south west China) for the construction of a touristic resort. After considering several other options, chinese businessmen have chosen Cadaqués as the source of inspiration for their new construction, because of its quintessential mediterranean architectural features. Joan Borrell, mayor of Cadaqués, showed his satisfaction because of the promotion that this will bring to this tiny coastal village.

Coastal village of Cadaqués to be recreated in Xiamen, China

From http://www.emporda.info/economia/2010/06/28/cadaques-made-in-xina/82421.html (in Catalan)

Members from the China Zhang Zhou company have visited the village of Cadaqués (Girona, Catalonia) in order to recreate it in Xiamen (south west China) for the construction of a touristic resort. After considering several other options, chinese businessmen have chosen Cadaqués as the source of inspiration for their new construction, because of its quintessential mediterranean architectural features. Joan Borrell, mayor of Cadaqués, showed his satisfaction because of the promotion that this will bring to this tiny coastal village.