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To boost up its tourism, nonprofit uses WeChat

Thursday, September 5, 2019

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WeChat, the Chinese multi-purpose messaging, social media and mobile payment app lets its more than 1 billion users to text, call and video chat, post photos and updates for followers, send money, order food, clothes and other goods and play games. Tourism bureaus, airlines and hotels worldwide have rushed to the app to reach the customers from China.

 

Economic Alliance Snohomish County, a nonprofit that acts as a countywide chamber of commerce, introduced a WeChat campaign 10 months back with displaying local businesses and destinations, said Andrew Vuong, the alliance’s director of strategy, industry and diversification.

 

“When we meet with delegations or businesses from China, we are considered their friend simply because of WeChat,” Vuong said.

 

The campaign was introduced at a time of rising tensions between the U.S. and China, as leaders escalate trade tariffs from both the countries. Travel from China to the U.S. in June 2018 to June 2019, declined 3%, according to the National Travel and Tourism Office. Vuong said WeChat helps show Chinese businesses the county is committed to its relationship with China.

 

He stated that Snohomish County is most likely to be the first in the state to have a page on the app.

 

For the campaign, the nonprofit collaborated with the cities of Everett, Lynnwood, Edmonds, Arlington and Marysville, Snohomish County, the county tourism bureau, the Port of Everett, the Tulalip Tribes and Everett Community College.

 

Russell Steele is the CEO of the Tulalip Economic Development Corporation. As part of a business group, Russell went to China few years ago.

 

“WeChat is the best way to communicate over there,” he said. “It’s beyond what Facebook is in this country. It’s not just personal information, its business too.”

 

Posts for the county range from various restaurants and park features, as well as stories about entrepreneurs and businesses.

 

“Our goal was to promote Snohomish County with the hope that it would drive economic development,” Vuong said. “Secondly, to make sure we promote the county as a great place to live, work, play and visit.”

 

As of July 31, the county’s page had been seen by nearly 4,000 users, with about 1,800 active followers.

 

“We view this as quite successful,” Vuong said.

 

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