For a long time, China was a closed country. It was a rarity when any tourist visited China and an even bigger rarity when Chinese citizens left the country. But as Bob Dylan once said, "Times, they are a changing."

Ke Zhi Hao, Vice GM, China Comfort Suzhou International Travel Company, with SCTC President Myrna George, during her recent trip to China.

China is reported to be tourisms' number one emerging market.  The Chinese in the near future will have disposable income and the time to travel. The desire to see America is sweeping China at a rapid rate. Chinese citizens share dreams of seeing the Atlantic Ocean and delving deep into the American culture that has for so long, been worlds away.  Chinese visitors say they want to experience the big tourism destinations- including New York City and Washington D.C. They will also be seeking architecture, shopping, and beautiful beaches.   And therein lies a fantastic opportunity for South County. Close to New York, with 100 miles of beautiful coastal beaches, sensational accommodations- including Westerly's five star Ocean House, and plenty of activities for families, South County is naturally positioned as a vacation destination for this new group of visitors.

As I write this, US New York Senator Schumer has submitted the following legislation: Creating five-year multiple-entry visas for Chinese nationals, who currently must apply for new U.S. visas annually, as opposed to travelers from other countries who can receive up to 10-year, multiple entry visas. The University of Rhode Island is exploring partnerships with this emerging market as well.

In October, I traveled to China and saw a country of contrasts.  From the Temple of Heaven, built in 1420 A.D., where the emperors prayed to the heavens for a good harvest, to young Chinese citizens who embraced Western status symbols like an Audi with emblazoned four circles and craved a new favorite food- Kentucky Fried Chicken.  China is a country on the move- an architect's dream come true - building everywhere.   There is much 'NEW' money in China and much curiosity about our culture.

I met with Ke Zhi Hao the Vice General Manager of China Comfort Suzhou International Travel Company. He personally accompanies 147 tourists each year on visits to the United States.  They spend approximately seven thousand dollars each. That's over a million dollars just from Mr. Hao's travel company.  The visitors not only want to see our cities, and the Atlantic Ocean, but they also want to experience the typical American culture.  This is where South County, Rhode Island comes in.

We are exploring the best ways to cultivate this growing new visitor. We have invited Mr. Hao and a contingent of his colleagues and fellow travelers to tour South County. The South County Tourism Council is preparing a proposal for translation of our brochures, travel guides, and other various travel information into Chinese. We are looking at options for placing advertisements in Chinese newspapers and travel magazines. 

With clean, breathtakingly beautiful beaches, South County serves as a perfect destination for Chinese visitors to experience American culture, on the ocean, walking the shore and enjoying the nightlife all in one tranquil and relaxing setting.  

Building our tourism trade isn't just about those who are coming today, but also about looking forward to those who will be seeking vacation destinations over the next five or even ten years.   The two million Chinese tourists expected to visit the U.S. over the next five years will spend close to 14 billion dollars.  The South County Tourism Council is getting ready to welcome them with open arms. 

Former RI EDC Director of Tourism, Mr. David DePetrillo administered the oath of office to our Officers and members of the Board of Directors at a Strategic Plan Meeting, Sept. 20, 2011, at Residence Inn by Marriott in Coventry.

Consultant Dyana Koelsch of DK Communications, provided an overview of board expectations for the coming year.

Officers are: Frank Prosnitz, Chairman; Pati deWardener, Vice-Chairman; David Caprio, Second Vice-Chairman; Denise Marcey-Pellegrino, Secretary; and Andy Nota, Treasurer. Remaining board members are: Charlie Beck, Kevin Breene, Barbara Capalbo, Michael Cascella, Todd Conklin, Deedra Durocher, Kim Francis, Clyde Fish, John Grimley, Dale Grogan, Daniel Hostettler, Eric Postemsky, Dave Punska, Kimberly Shockley, Loren Spears and David Zapatka. 

2012 South County Bridal Show

Beaches, romance and scenic views all unite in the ideal affordable destination wedding known as South County, RI.

The South County Tourism Council will host the 5th Annual South County Bridal Show on Sun. Jan. 8, 2012, at the Towers in Narragansett. 

South County's natural elegance lends itself to weddings in scenic settings, featuring beautiful vistas and the romance of the ocean.

Southern New England Weddings featured a South County wedding on its cover AND an 11-page spread devoted to South County as a destination wedding location. (That's TWO magazine covers and exclusive editorial in one year!) The spread, "A Pure Blend of Coastline and Countryside," included photography from two celebrations, a wedding at Ocean House and a reception at Shelter Harbor Golf Club.

"Most of the vendors we used were from the area," said one bride. "Not only was it extremely helpful to us as they knew what to expect . . . but it added to the at-home, comfortable feel of our wedding."

Our vendors woo brides and grooms with sumptuous wedding fare, fragrant bouquets, delectable desserts and glamorous finery.

The South County Tourism Council's creation five years ago of its own bridal show has evolved with the addition of a wedding website and wedding planner. The bridal show provides an intimate atmosphere for brides to meet personally with South County vendors.

If you are planning a wedding, mark your calendar for Sunday, Jan. 8 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door.

Call 401-789-4422 or visit www.SouthCountyWeddings.com to pre-register.

ESTO

Educational Seminars for Tourism Organizations (ESTO) was held in 2011 in Salt Lake City, Utah and attended by SCTC President, Myrna George. This conference is exclusively designed to provide tourism leaders from throughout the country with educational forums tailored specifically to providing the best tourism practices nationwide. As always, we learned a few new tools of the trade. 

Some of the new tools and trends for 2011:

• Social Media is huge;
• Visitors appreciate and want creative story telling when choosing their vacation destination;
• You cannot manage what you cannot measure, Return on Investment is key.

South County heads North to attend 'The Big E'

South County Tourism Council Marketing Coordinator, Charlene Ferranti enjoyed her first exhilarating day at the Big E this September. The Rhode Island Pavilion was once again touted as the best on the Avenue for look, variety, food and customer service.

Thanks to national publicity South County has recently received, potential visitors gathered information on things to do and see in South County, Rhode Island. Despite several rainy days, The Big E had three record attendance days, and total attendance of 1,201,428 people.

A special "thank-you" to Big E organizer Jayne Panarello of the Rhode Island Economic Development Commission Division of Tourism.

Ocean House receives AAA Five Diamond Award 

The Ocean House recently learned they are the first AAA Five Diamond Hotel in Rhode Island. The Five Diamond Award is the highest level of the AAA ratings system for restaurants and lodging administered by AAA.

Daniel Hostettler, Ocean House president and managing director, was ecstatic about the award. "Congratulations to the entire Ocean House team," he said. "We were inspected in July or August (our busiest months) and received an unheard of 299 points! You need 250 to become Five Diamond!"

Of the 58,000 properties rated world-wide by AAA, only 1/28th percent achieve the Five Diamond status.

10th Annual South County Photo Contest

Water was the dominant theme of the winning entries of the 2011 South County Photo Contest. Ingrid Mathews won first place with "Calling It A Day," a silhouette of three teenagers

"Calling It A Day" by Ingrid Mathews.

returning from a day of boogie boarding at the beach. Daniel Dunn took second place with "Morning Fog" featuring early morning fog rising from a pond: third place by Gina Roberti was "Exploration of a Tidal Pool" featuring the feet of someone standing in a tidal pool. Honorable mentions included "Lost in the Fog" by Amy Martira, "Different Perspective" by Ingrid Mathews, "dinghy" by John Pitocco, "The Sitting Room" and "The Towers," both by Steve Wood.

Contest winners were unveiled during a wine and cheese reception at the Courthouse Center for the Arts in August. Cash prizes totalling $1,000 were awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners.

Special thanks to David Zapatka of North Kingstown for serving as our judge, choosing a winner from over 600 entries. David is an award winning cinema photographer and a SCTC board member.

• Destination weddings are up 400 percent in the past decade," SmartMoney Magazine.

• At least 18-24 percent of couples plan destination weddings, a figure which grows every year.

• According to TheKnot, Rhode Island brides are among the top spenders, approximately $40,000.

• In 2010, 43 percent of wedding ceremonies were held outdoors, an increase of 10 percent from 2009.

• 85 percent of couples consider a destination wedding when they start their planning.

• The average spend on each wedding guest: $194.