Economy

Resort hopes for post-visit windfall

By Fu Jing (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-11-06 13:20

NICE, France - In addition to the multi-billion-dollar deals involving aircraft and nuclear power, people in this Mediterranean seaside city are hoping President Hu Jintao's visit will bring them and their community a slice of good fortune.

"It is obvious that many potential travelers in China will know more about Nice after the president's visit," said Jean Ives Marksynowyli, a 45-year-old taxi driver.

He pointed to the dozens of politicians and celebrities who have spent time in the city that is a one-hour flight from Paris. The list includes Britain's queen and prime minister and the kings of Belgium and Sweden.

Nice is also a sister city of Hangzhou, the famous tourist destination in East China's Zhejiang province.

"Now comes President Hu and it's a privilege for us," said Marksynowyli. "His visit means massive publicity for Nice."

Hu and Sarkozy arrived in the city on Friday afternoon to continue their talks and then had dinner in the French host's favorite restaurant.

The city is located on the French Riviera in Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur and is blessed with a sunny, temperate climate.

Among its many attractions are its pebble beaches, seaside promenade, museums and famed architectural landmarks. It is also well known for its seafood, wines and both Italian and French cuisine.

Thirty-year-old hotel employee Ingrid Dal-Santo is also hoping to see more Chinese tourists in the city following Hu's visit.

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Dal-Santo, a front desk manager, said she is seeing a growing number of Chinese guests already, who not only organize their own holidays but can speak either English or French. Two or three years ago, she said, they mainly came in groups.

"If I have the chance to study another language, I will choose either Chinese or Russian, even though they are hard," she said.

Dal-Santo said the financial crisis hit the resort hard and last year was particularly difficult.

"Now, the numbers are picking up again but we should concentrate on emerging markets, such as China," she said.

Realtors too are hoping Chinese people will think of Nice as a result of the state visit.

"Apartments sell well but villas are still hard to sell, even though the interest rate is low. I hope Chinese buyers will soon become my clients," said Jean-Charles Barres, a real estate manager in the city.

He said the interest rate now is between 3.3 percent and 3.6 percent, but he pointed out that the banks have brought in strict controls to limit the number of people who can have them.

"However, for Chinese investors who are rich in cash, they should consider real estate investment in Nice, which is a tourist destination that few cities worldwide can rival," said Barres. "We expect them to become our future clients."