A delegation from China visited Chester County recently as part of a growing relationship between the two regions.
Hosted by Chester County Commissioner Terence Farrell and the Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Susan Hamley, the trip last month was facilitated by James Zhang, president of the Sino-America Business & Travel Association, according to a bureau press release.
Farrell, who visited China in 2014, said he enjoyed welcoming a group from Yangzhou that included ZhiJian Wang, deputy mayor of Yangzhou, representatives from high profile gardens, and tourism officials.
“We have had four delegations from China visit Chester County in the past six months,” Farrell said in the release. “This was the first delegation from Yangzhou, however, which borders the provincial capital of Nanjing on China’s East Coast.”
Previous delegations have focused on business and investment opportunities in Chester County, but this delegation was most interested in tourism. The 10 visitors were enchanted by Longwood Gardens’ beauty, particularly the unique garden designs, and they were also intrigued by a tour of the Galer Estate Vineyard & Winery, led by owners Brad and Lele Galer, and a tasting of Galer’s award-winning wines, made with locally grown grapes, the release said.
Hamley believes China offers great potential for tourism. “Nearly 2.2 million Chinese visitors traveled to the U.S. in 2014, which is a 21 percent increase over 2013,” Hamley said in the release. “It is anticipated that by 2019, China will become the third largest inbound market to the United States. China is already No. 2 in Chester County, and we can expect further growth with the new 10-year visa.”
The Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau, created in 1963, is a nonprofit, independent organization that serves as the official tourism promotion agency for Chester County. Responsible for marketing Chester County and the Brandywine Valley to travelers and for events, the bureau maintains the Brandywine Valley Tourism Information Center at 300 Greenwood Road in Kennett Square. The center welcomes visitors daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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