WORKSHOP WOOS CHINESE
ryan.keen@news.com.au A SHOE store manager who recently schooled up on Chinese etiquette and a few phrases said it was helping boost her bottom line.
Grace Smith, manager of M Dreams in Pacific Fair, said it was remarkable how much of a difference it made with Chinese customers by observing cultural niceties and employing a few basic words such as hello, goodbye and thank you.
She put herself through Gold Coast Tourism’s engaging China market workshop and said it was proving a winner.
“I’ve had six or seven transactions where I’ve spoken to Chinese people in their language and while it’s only a few words they have come back and purchased more shoes.”
M Dreams head office has invited Miss Smith to present to the company’s managers conference about the workshop.
Last year, more than 300,000 Chinese visitors came to the Gold Coast, a 20 per cent jump on 2015.
Gold Coast Tourism boss Paul Donovan encouraged the city to get on board with encouraging Chinese tourism. “We also need more Chinese street signs and Chinese-language employees across the industry.”