Southern states bank on familiar ring

Amid celebratory send-offs and gala receptions for the first group of tourists from the Chinese mainland to the US, a number of tourism officials from the American South are already gearing up to attract more Chinese visitors to their region.

"We have a long way to go to achieve brand awareness among Chinese (mainland) tour operators and consumers, but we have all the ingredients to become a top destination," said Kevin Langston, director of international operations at the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

Langston and his counterparts from other southern US states are turning to names that ring familiar with Chinese mainland tourists.