CTW Chinese Tourist Welcome Awards 2017 Highlight 18 Best Ways to Welcome Chinese Outbound Travellers

In a ceremony held during the first ITB China in Shanghai on May 12^th, 2017, COTRI China Outbound Tourism Research Institute announced the winners of the CTW Chinese Tourist Welcome Awards 2017.

The Chinese Tourist Welcome Award (CTW Award) has been coordinated by the China Outbound Tourism Research Institute (COTRI) since 2004. The awards are regarded both internationally and in China as the leading recognition of excellence for those working in the Chinese outbound tourism market. Taking place for the 14^th time, the CTW Awards were presented during an event at the ITB China in Shanghai. The international jury in 2017 had to evaluate more applications than ever before.

Similarly to previous years, gold, silver and bronze prizes were awarded in five categories: Product Innovation, Internet/Media, Service Quality, Marketing and Overall Performance. This year’s CTW Awards winners were drawn from around the world, originating from countries as diverse as Uganda, Bulgaria, Indonesia and Morocco.

Companies offering high-tech solutions for booking and payment played a bigger role than ever before, reflecting the growing importance of online and mobile applications. Another clear trend is the increased creativity of companies and organisations from smaller destinations, which find innovative way to put themselves onto the mental map of the Chinese travellers.

“The low hanging fruits have been picked already,” said Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Georg Arlt, Director of COTRI, who chaired the CTW Award ceremony. “Now a deeper understanding of the different market segments and their needs and expectations is necessary. Fortunately the large number of interesting applications to this years’ CTW Awards are showing that service providers around the world have taken up the challenge and are offering best-practice examples to follow. It has never been harder to select the CTW Award winners among the many high-quality applications.”

A full list of winners can be found below.

Marketing:

Gold: Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority

Silver: Bloomington MN CVB USA

Bronze: Dolores Travel Services

Product Adaptation:

Gold: Bintan Resorts International Pte Ltd

Silver: Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway

Lake District China Forum

Ullswater Steamers

Bronze: Aurora Xplorer

Service Quality:    

Gold: Castle “In Love with the Wind”

Silver: Royal Museums Greenwich

Bronze: Gulu&Hirst

Morocco Golf Services

Internet/Media:

Gold: Igola Travel Consultant and Services

Silver: Safety Tax Free GmbH

Bronze:  Zapptax Europe

Overall Performance:

Gold: Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board

Silver: Tuniu Corporation

Bronze:  Poseidon Expeditions

For further information, please contact us at marketing@china-outbound.com

Picture: COTRI