Loch’s monster hit with China
THE lure of the Loch Ness monster is set to spearhead a drive to open up a potentially lucrative new market with holiday- makers from China.
A delegation of six high-ranking politicians from Benxi – a principal city in a region of China with a population of 44 million residents – has arrived in the Highlands for a whistle-stop tour of Loch Ness and other main tourism attractions in the area, which could lead to a Chinese tourism boom in the north of Scotland.
The influential Chinese delegation, which has the power to promote destinations, made a special request to see the area after a visit from Inverness tourism representatives in 2008.
The delegates are spending 24 hours in the Highlands as part of a European trip aimed at building links with key destinations, including London and Paris.
Scotland has been awarded approved destination status under the Chinese government’s travel regulations.
Co-promotion agreements for tourism were signed three years ago between Benxi and representatives of the Highlands and Loch Ness Marketing Group, which has amalgamated with the Destination Loch Ness initiative.
Nicol Manson, a member of the Destination Loch Ness board who is leading the welcoming committee for the tour, explained that the visit was the result of ongoing contact between the two regions since the visit to Benxi in 2008.
He said: “We have long known that the Chinese tourism market holds massive potential, both in terms of the sheer size of the population and the spending power of those who travel.
“We intend to use this visit as an opportunity to show the Chinese delegates the best of all that Loch Ness and Inverness have to offer and to cement the co-promotion agreements already in place.”
A spokeswoman for Destination Loch Ness added: “The emergence from recession and a simplification of the process for residents of the Chinese region to obtain visas have created good conditions for the partners to now move forward with plans.
“The Highlands and Loch Ness Marketing Group was highly instrumental in gaining an approved destination status, previously unavailable in the Benxi area, through lobbying Scottish and UK government politicians.”
The Benxi delegation began its tour at the Loch Ness Exhibition Centre, where Mandarin language audio tours are available.
After lunching on haggis, the Chinese politicians went to Urquhart Castle and its visitor centre, before sailing on the loch for what was described as a “little monster spotting”.
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There are 14 comments to this article
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Nik
Thursday, October 20, 2011 at 01:51 PM12 'we don't go around conquering at the end of a gun the way the Americans do.' Tell that to the Tibetans. At least the Americans aren't planning on staying in Afghanistan.
GibsonNSW
Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 10:42 PMPM55. Its the secret hidden PLA plans that worries Pacific observers. Mao wanted a 200 million man army. Revelation 9:16 speaks of a 200 million man army. The guns must be ready by now. Maos been dead for decades yet the PLA moves forward with the great plan. "The great deceiver" must not prevail.
postmark54
Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 01:03 PMComment removed by moderator
postmark54
Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 12:08 PMComment removed by moderator
JimA3220
Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 09:03 AM#9 Hector, "Well they certainly do have their faults. However no more nor less than most Western countries" With the exception of the former USSR I am hard put to think of any western country that has wiped out around 50 million of it's own citizens through it's policies and laws. Even in this day and age it is still illegal in China to criticise the government in any way, the last guy that did it was sent for a years re-education through hard labour, that was for criticising a minor local government official. The Chinese people need to get rid of the one party state, only then will China be able to truly move forward.
Hector the Lessor
Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 06:35 AMWell they certainly do have their faults. However no more nor less than most Western countries. Their education system is evidently going forward in leaps and bounds. They have a subtle and cost effective way of dealing with corruption and drug dealers. They are fighting to provide a suitable future for their citizens, I reckon they will succeed. Much the same as the UK did in the early 20th century. Maybe they will have more success.
GibsonNSW
Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 05:09 AMHi PM55, you old soldier. I missed you on the Wash Post. Ive been everywhere. All around the world talking about China and encouraging the West to get ready for the KINGS OF THE EAST (Revelation 9:16 and 16:12). Im presently pushing for greater defences in Australia. We mustnt permit China to make us a New South China:)
postmark54
Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 12:41 AMComment removed by moderator
GibsonNSW
Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at 09:04 AMIf its like it is in Australia they will be sussing out the land for a conquest...a NEW SOUTH CHINA for Australia... and (perhaps) a NEW NORTH CHINA for Scotland.
Hector the Lessor
Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at 06:30 AMHow long does it take to clone or build a Loch Ness Monster? It is all very well to advertise its existence but unless you have some kind of monster trained to entertain tourists they would be better off going to Australia to look at the salt water crocs.
postmark54
Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at 05:57 AMComment removed by moderator
antiparasite
Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at 02:06 AMLike the forest moon of Endor?
King Crimson
Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at 12:56 AMPandas live in temperate climates that are not too warm, too cold, or too dry.
antiparasite
Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at 12:40 AMHave they gave england a panda yet?
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