During ITB in Berlin four UKinbound members received a prestigious award for their work supporting visitors from China. The European Chinese Tourist Welcoming (ECTW) Awards include a Gold, Silver and Bronze level for each of the following five categories: Product Innovation, Website, Human Resource Development, Marketing, and Overall Performance. 

Visit London won the Gold Award in the Marketing category and the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum and Tour and China Holidays won the Silver and Bronze Awards respectively for Product Innovation.  Marriott International received their bronze award for Human Resources Development.

The awards, which enjoy the support of the UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organisation), are increasingly viewed as a sign of quality for the expanding European Chinese inbound market. 

Nominations were open to National Tourism Organisations, Destination Marketing Organisations, tourism service providers, private companies from the leisure, tourism and hospitality sector as well as transportation and retail companies from across Europe.

Stephen Dowd, UKinbound Chief Executive, said: “Less than a year after the Approved Destination Status (ADS) Agreement was signed by the UK and Chinese Governments, we are delighted that our members’ efforts in preparing for this new market have been recognised.  With stiff competition from organisations throughout Europe, many of whom have enjoyed the benefits of an ADS agreement for longer than our members here in the UK, winning these awards is a clear indication of the quality of UK tourism products and services.”
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