Clearwater Beaches Marketed to China

Clearwater Beach, Fort De Soto, Caladesi and Honeymoon Islands are being introduced by Pinellas County's tourism chief to a brand-new market: Chinese tourists.

China is the world's fastest-growing tourism market. D.T. Minich just traveled to the nation to spread the message about Florida attractions, particularly the beaches of Pinellas County, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Minich, executive director of the Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, told the Tampa Bay Times:

"When they saw the blue skies and pure water and white sandy beaches, they were just like 'Wow.' They were blown away. A couple of people asked me if this was real."

Visit Florida estimates that 90 million Chinese will travel overseas in 2013. If the numbers continue, they will reach 200 million by 2025.

Minich's sales pitch to Chinese tourists is to visit the theme parks in Orlando first, then head to the relaxing beaches of Pinellas County, according to the Times. The same formula worked with European visitors.

Minich was part of a Florida tourism delegation hoping to bolster visits by Chinese vacations, which number 231,000 right now.

Sign up for the free Clearwater Patch email newsletter to stay connected to your community.