Spain, are you ready for Asians?

He explained, “the increase in travel is thanks to the expansion of air travel and the increase in prosperity of the middle class in Asia”.

In 2012, Asia generated the biggest growth in world tourism led by China followed by Japan, South Korea, India and the main countries in South-East Asia. This Congress has the focus to reinstate the importance of this market to the Spanish tourism industry and to stress the importance to keep outreaching efforts to this market.

Its objective is to analyse the weaknesses and strengths of our tourism industry in order to adapt to the interests and needs of the Asian tourists. Mr. Rifai also offered four key tips in getting Asian tourists to Spain. We need to understand our clients and educate ourselves about them and be prepared – so gear up!

1) Asia is very advanced and hooked in new technology. We need to ensure that our communication and contact points are in the online realm. The “new connected tourist” is the traveler today, many look for information via the Internet to make decisions and plan their travels.

2) Make travel easy – from Visa processes and flight connectivity. Europe, as a whole needs to revisit this to facilitate the ease of Asians coming.

3) As a destination, Spain needs to make its presence strong among other European destinations. This is an important investment for the country as tourism plays a big role in any country´s economy. The US has learnt that for every 43 new visas that it issues, one new job is created.

4) European cities need to work together. As Asians don´t always think of “going to Barcelona or Madrid”, but they are “going to Europe”. Their trips often include a multi-destinations experience. Regional cooperation and promotion are strongly encouraged.

Organised by Casa Asia, Turespaña, Turisme de Catalunya, Barcelona Turisme and the Saló Internacional del Turisme a Catalunya, the Congress has the participation of some thirty experts, mainly from Asia and the Pacific, and local authorities, institutions and associations related to the tourism industry.

If the mountain won´t come to Mohammed, then Mohammed must go to the mountain – This time, the Asians are coming to Spain, are you ready?

More info: http://www.casaasia.es/congresoturismo/