#3: Ten Destinations the Chinese are just discovering

Find out COTRI’s selection of 10 destinations the Chinese are just discovering: CUBA

10. Seychelles
9. Zimbabwe
8. Tijuana
7. Palau
6. Tonga
5. Tasmania
4. Pennsylvania Dutch Country
3. Cuba
2. Chihuahua
1. Antarctica

The interest of Chinese outbound travellers in Cuba is on the rise. Pristine beaches, luxury resorts and golf courses may attract Chinese visitors into their socialist ally.

But also, local leaders emerge in their imaginary: “For the Chinese, Cuba is a country of heroes, like Fidel Castro and Che Guevara,” affirms Elena Wang, director of China Sea International Travel Service, a travel agency that operates tours to Cuba. “For the Chinese, going to Cuba isn’t just traditional tourism, they are going to learn about the history of Cuba and its revolution.”

Last year, only 28,000 mainland tourists visited Cuba. However, Air China will start the first direct flights between China and Cuba, which are expected to deliver a ‘sea of Chinese tourists’ to the island.

Authorities claim that at least 85,000 hotel rooms will be ready to host Chinese tourists by 2020.

For the time being, some companies are already moving on quick and far – in the 1st Qtr 2016 Golden Dolphin Cruise Line, a cruise line targeting the rapidly growing Chinese out-bound tourist market, begins cruise vacations between Cuba and Jamaica.

The COTRI Market report puts a special focus in the Caribbean nation on its first issue. Click here.

CHECK N.10 : SEYCHELLES

Photo: ilkerender, flickr