SeeCalifornia.com

Chinese and California travel reps pose in front of Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa during a FAM tour

Costa Mesa Conference & Visitor Bureau’s president, Paulette Lombardi-Fries,  recently welcomed  travel industry professionals from Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou and Nanjing, China, who want to get to know California’s best shopping spots for their Shanghai clientele.  The representatives visited world-famous South Coast Plaza, which rivals Beverly Hills as an international shopping destination featuring more than 250 retail boutiques and 30 award-winning restaurants.

Chinese tourists have become the highest-spending overseas visitors to the U.S., dishing out over $161 billion in 2012, and averaging  nearly $3,000 per visit to California in 2013. That’s around $1,000 more than other international visitors spend in the Golden State.   The Chinese middle class — professionals, executives or managers, with an average annual income of $67,000 — has grown rapidly. This type of traveler comes to California to save on designer apparel and accessories often costing two or three times more in China, due to steep taxes.

If you’ve never been to Costa Mesa, plan a trip to see the amazing Chinese production, “Shen Yun,” March 11-16, 2014 at Segerstrom Center for the Arts.  Not appearing in China where traditional culture has been nearly lost, the non-profit Shen Yun has become an international phenomenon, bringing the wonders of 5,000 years of civilization to millions across the globe. For information see: travelcostamesa.com