Alaska business delegation explores China opportunities

Alaska business delegation explores China opportunities

CIRI Alaska Tourism Corp. (CATC) was part of a delegation of Anchorage businesses that visited China on April 12 – 19. Anchorage Economic Development Corp. (AEDC) organized the trip to help Alaska companies learn about doing business in China, seek new opportunities and promote Alaska products, including tourism.

“We are focused on attracting Asian travelers to our properties, and China represents a sleeping giant for Alaska,” said Scott Torrison, CATC chief operating officer. “CATC has participated in the early stages of this potentially huge market as it transitions toward open travel with the United States. It was an honor to have our chef personally requested to promote Alaskan cuisine on the AEDC trip. “

The 15-member delegation traveled to Beijing, China’s capital, and Tianjin, an emerging import/export port city. The group met with the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, the U.S. Embassy in China, the Beijing Investment Promotion Bureau and the Li Qiao Free Trade Zone. They also discussed possible port-toport and airport-to-airport cooperation between Tianjin and Anchorage.

The Alaskans also hosted a reception for Chinese travel companies, seafood buyers, political appointees and business executives in Beijing. The reception featured Alaska seafood prepared by executive chef Felix Zollinger and assistant general manager Fernando Salvador from CATC’s Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge.