NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Sept. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Orange County Visitors Association (OCVA) announced plans to conduct a sales mission to China in October to capitalize on interest being generated about Orange County among a wide range of Chinese travelers since the Association opened its first office there earlier this year.

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Led by Association Chairman Gary Sherwin and President & Chief Executive Officer Ed Fuller, the 15-person delegation includes representatives of the Convention & Visitors Bureaus of Anaheim, Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, Marriott Hotels of Orange County, Disneyland Resort Hotels, Red Lion Hotels of Anaheim, and Where magazine.

"Since opening our first sales office in China, in Shanghai, earlier this year, interest in learning more about what Orange County has to offer among the Chinese traveling public, incentive planners, tour wholesalers, travel agents and others has grown exponentially," said Mr. Sherwin. "Our goal now is to solidify established relationships, initiate new ones and work to better understand how to attract and serve these consumers so that our local economy can glean more than its fair share of the world's most dynamic travel market."

Mr. Fuller said the Chinese travel market today is arguably the world's most competitive and being active and visible in the market is essential. 

"Everyone is eager to attract today's Chinese tourist. With the easing of visa restrictions to the U.S. and the continued strength of the Chinese economy, an estimated 2 million Chinese visitors are expected to travel to the U.S. this year. This is a 25 percent increase over last year, and by 2017, the volume is expected to double to 4 million visitors," Mr. Fuller said.

"Chinese visitors to the U.S. tend to be experienced, affluent travelers. They love golf. They love to shop. They love attending events. Orange County has all this in abundance. Plus we've got great weather and natural beauty and we're centrally located to the best of what southern California has to offer. We can't afford not to take our message about Orange County directly to them," he added.

During the 10-day mission, the group will conduct a series of press conferences, sales calls and meetings with booking agents and other travel professionals.

SOURCE Orange County Visitors Association