Council grows bond with Hainan province
THE RELATIONSHIP between the Hainan province in China and County Wicklow was further strengthened with the visit last week of a delegation from Hainan University.
Back in July, a Friendship Agreement was signed between Wicklow and Hainan and a delegation from Wicklow County Tourism and Wicklow County Council paid a recent visit to the 2017 Hainan International Tourism Island Carnival Exhibition.
Last week, Professor Wu Yaoting, Party Secretary of the CPC and President of Hainan University, was hosted by Wicklow County Council and Wicklow Tourism along with his team and Zhen Yao of the Dublin Institute of Technology.
Hainan University is an International Education Partner of the DIT School of Hospitality, Management and Tourism and DIT has been working with its Chinese partners for almost 15 years to develop strategic relationships.
The visitors were treated to tours of Powerscourt Estate, Glendalough and Wicklow Gaol and were also hosted at Wicklow County Campus in Rathnew by Fred Verdier of Wicklow County Tourism and Vibeke Delahunt of Wicklow County Campus and the County Wicklow Film Commission.
Leas Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Cllr Pat Vance, also welcomed the guests and spoke of the rich cultural heritage of the Irish, the beauty of Wicklow county, its diverse range of businesses and its renowned film industry.
Cllr Vance hoped the relationship between Hainan and Wicklow would result in ‘cultural and educational exchanges and work placements for young people, especially in the education, tourism, hospitality and forestry sectors.’
He also presented Professor Yu with a plaque inscribed ‘Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí’, meaning ‘Praise the youth and they will flourish.’
The delegation enjoyed an evening meal at Mickey Finn’s Bistro in Redcross as well as a tour of Wicklow Brewery and some live traditional Irish music.
During the visit, Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council Frank Curran emphasised the support of the council for the Hospitality and Tourism Initiative between Hainan University and DIT and of its continuing commitment to developing and enriching the growing relationship between Wicklow and Hainan.