In order to compensate for missing the incredible Chinese Dragon Boat Race, Le Yucheng will witness the Nehru Trophy Boat Race. This snake boat is one of Kerala’s grandest festivals. In 2015, on 8th August, this shall be the 63rd Nehru Trophy Boat Race and will take place on the backwaters of Alappuzha.
Le Yucheng is expected to take a four-day tour and arrive on August 7th, as invited by Kerala’s Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson. His visit is considered of utmost significance as it would take place just after a month following a victorious foray into the Chinese outbound tourism marketed by Kerala Tourism.
The Chinese Ambassador has held many vital designations in the Chinese Foreign ministry like the head of policy planning department. He will be accompanied by a four-member team and will stay in Kumarakom on the same night. Later they will proceed to Alappuzha aboard Kettuvallam (traditional houseboat). He and his team will return to New Delhi on 10th of August.
Kerala Tourism though is new but is emerging dramatically. And to make the success even grander it is aiming at taping Chinese market to increase the arrival of foreign tourists in Kerala.
In this regard, the Tourism Minister A.P Anilkumar said “The Chinese Ambassador’s visit to Kerala is a positive response to the visit of senior representatives of the state government to China only a month ago.” The high-profile Kerala delegation to China was led by A.P Anilkumar. He also added “The Ambassador’s visit to witness an important cultural symbol of Kerala will create a positive wave about our state among the Chinese tourists and tour operators.” A.P Anilkumar also suggested that in order to attract more and more Chinese tourist to Kerala, this will go a long way.
Thomson Chief Secretory, who also was a part of the China delegation said “Kerala tourism is ready to initiate projects aimed at the Chinese market.” Further he added “The visit of the Chinese Ambassador marks a significant step in our endeavor to position our state as a natural destination for tourists from China because of so many social and cultural similarities,” He also stated that more marketing techniques are to be strengthen to attract more Chinese tourists.
This was the first time that Kerala Tourism participated in Beijing International Travel Expo and a road show in Shanghai. Exponents from Kalarpyattu also joined Kung Fu performers in a martial arts fusion in the capital of China. In this event, many Chinese outbound tour operators showed immense interest in Kerala, which also is known as God’s Own Country.
Chinese tourists are considered those who spend highest, compared to other tourists globally. As per the figures available for 2013, there are 107 million Chinese tourist and constitute largest outbound tourism market of the world.