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China Earthquake
We are currently reaching out to our members in China to see what we can learn and do for the victims of yesterday’s earthquake. During the 2007 wildfires in California this discussion board became an important place for us in the meetings and events industry to share news and information regarding the situation. We will post on this board what we hear from our members and industry connections in the region. Please share what useful information you may have as well.
Posted by Randy Crabtree on 5/13/2008 3:28:34 PM
Replies
Hello friends in China. We here at headquarters in Dallas hope that you are doing well, despite the tragic circumstances of yesterday. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help during this hard time.
Posted by Jessie States on 5/13/2008 3:33:18 PM
I am currently in Beijing China where the earthquake was felt even though we are a distance away from the epicenter. This tragedy is very sad and with people here so excited about the upcoming Olympics it is naturally placing a damper on it. Many from Beijing have traveled out to provide help but the magnitude is so immense that heavy duty help is now really mobilizing to help. I am traveling tonight to Guangzhou for another event and hopefully I will hear that resources have arrived to move all the building debris to reach more victims. This is a nice gesture for MPI to show concern for members in this region.
Posted by Faye Blum on 5/13/2008 10:27:37 PM
A tragic such as this is heart-wrenching. I want to thank our MPI family for the compassion and reaching out to help.
To our friends and families affected in China, please let us know if there is anything we can to do. We will keep you in our prayers.
Posted by Michael Tay on 5/13/2008 11:12:55 PM
Dear Randy,
Thank you for your kind email! The support of the MPI community will be well appreciated as many are suffering.
In the aftermath of the earthquake in Sichuan Province that happened on Monday, May 12, 2008, our hotel is establishing a cash donation and blood drive to aid the residents and survivors in Sichuan. I will send you more details on how MPI members can make contributions to this aid shortly.
In the meanwhile, MPI community can help by contacting the Chinese Embassies and Red Cross Offices in their cities. In addition please review the web listing below as it has great information on offering aid to the victims.
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2008/200805/20080514/article_359491.htm
I will send you additional details shortly.
My best,
Pouya Jalali
Director of Sales, International
The Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai
Posted by Randy Crabtree on 5/14/2008 9:11:19 AM
Hi, Randy,
Thanks for your support to China！Chinese people are uniting together to fight the earthquake now, most friends around us do their bits to the people greatly impacted by the disaster by making donations.
The Ministery of Civil Affairs has auhtorized the Red Cross Soceity of China and China Charity Federation to receive donations for quake-hit areas.
Account number for foreign currency donation: 7112111482600000209 at Jiunxianqiao branch of CITIC Bank.
Thanks and best regards,
Daisy Zhang,
c.c.David Zhong, Publisher
micechina.com
Posted by Randy Crabtree on 5/14/2008 9:17:33 AM
PolyU tourism experts prompt to offer assistance in Sichuan Province recovery efforts
Jul 29, 08 | 10:43 am
The School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University was prompt to offer assistance in the tourism recovery and reconstruction efforts spearheaded by China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) and Sichuan Tourism Administration (SCTA) in the disaster stricken areas caused by the devastating earthquake hitting the province of Sichuan in May 2008. It was the school’s intention to contribute to tourism revival in the province.
Dr. Hanqin Zhang, Dr. David Jones and Mr. Ben Jiang of SHTM were escorted to visit Jinsha Museum on the day they arrived Chengdu on June 30, 2008. There they were shown the rich heritage and tourism resources of Sichuan Province. Braving difficulties on the road, the team of three inspected Dujianyan, a city which suffered considerable loss and damage during the earthquake. The inspection was completed by a visit to Sanxingdui Museum.
Sichuan Tourism Administration gave a comprehensive briefing to the SHTM team on the latest relief efforts and presented the proposed plan designed for the tourism recovery and reconstruction in the province. The plan revealed that massive efforts were being focused on areas most seriously hit by the earthquake covering some worse-hit counties and districts in Chengdu, Deyang, Mianyan, Guangyuan, Ya’an and Aba. With targeted and concerted efforts planned for three years, SCTA expected that the tourism index of the affected areas would make a rebound to reach 90% of that set in the 11th Five-year Plan. SCTA was also determined to help Sichuan win back visitors’ trust and to revitalize the province’s profile on both domestic and international levels.
The plan was then thoroughly and carefully reviewed by the SHTM team. Dr. Hanqin Zhang shared her observation on the direct and indirect impacts that the earthquake had on Sichuan’s hospitality and tourism industry. She also talked about the importance of creating a new and positive destination image by means of communication, the importance of human resources in the course of recovery and reconstruction efforts, as well as recommended possible research topics. Dr. Jones focused his feedback on marketing Sichuan to the world. He talked about the crisis recovery marketing plan that included the hosting of forums, conferences and meetings, as well as the full utilization of human elements native to Sichuan in promoting the province. SCTA should consider working with the renowned tennis player Zheng Jie, diligent tour guides and make positive use of survivors’ stories.
“The School is ready to support CNTA and SCTA in their tourism recovery and reconstruction efforts planned for Sichuan Province,” said Professor Kaye Chon, Chair Professor and Director of SHTM, “I believe now is the time for us to put our resources and efforts together to help the survivors rebuild their lives. It is encouraging to feel the resilience in these people and it is equally heartening to witness the solidarity among them. We are ready to do everything we can to help put Sichuan back on the map again and win back visitors’ confidence.”
Ms Pauline Ngan
Marketing Manager
School of Hotel & Tourism Management
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Tel: + 852 3400-2634
Posted by Randy Crabtree on 7/29/2008 1:02:49 PM
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