COTRI presenting Chinese outbound tourism insights for OECD tourism expert group

As part of OECD’s Regional Programme for South East Europe, COTRI China Outbound Tourism Research Institute was invited to present insights and knowledge about the Chinese outbound tourism market, and its economic potential for destinations in the Western Balkans. The presentation is part of OECD’s Tourism Expert Group, working towards bridging the skills gaps in the tourism sector, developing high-value tourism market segments and, fostering regional co-operation in tourism in the South East Europe region.

COTRI’s founder and director, Professor Wolfgang Georg Arlt, and COTRI representative Tanita Jasieniecka presented the main features of the Chinese outbound tourism market, and ideas and strategy recommendations on how to develop a tourist offer for South East Europe targeted at Chinese tourists. A draft on how to promote cultural and historical tourism in South East Europe was also presented to the audience, consisting of officials and tourism industry stakeholders in the Western Balkans.

The presentation was very successful and garnered a lot of interest from the audience, seeing a great opportunity to boost economic development and tourism revenues by targeting the Chinese market. COTRI representative Tanita Jasieniecka said, “COTRI is more than glad to see that development of Chinese outbound market strategy fosters building bridges in the South East European region”.