With the number of Chinese tourists visiting New Zealand estimated to rise, Central Otago businesses have been offered workshops on how best to prepare for them.
Tourism Central Otago tourism product development manager Michelle Ormsby said China was New Zealand's second biggest tourist market, behind Australia, and Government forecasts predicted the number of Chinese tourists would rise.
Those coming to New Zealand were beginning to explore areas off the beaten track. The free workshops have been designed to help local businesses make the most of the opportunities the tourists provide.
Amy Adams, who has had 15 years' experience working in China and develops and delivers training programmes for government departments and corporate clients in China and around the world, will be the keynote speaker.
Mrs Ormsby said from what was understood of the Chinese market, those tourists ''very much'' liked hands-on experiences, and were interested in fruitgrowing, wine, gold history and picturesque landscapes.
She said there were simple things local businesses could do to make those tourists feel more at home, such as providing signs and menus in simple Chinese, or offering dishes that included noodles, for example.
The free workshops will be held at Alexandra on September 27 and Cromwell on September 30.
