I noted a little more than a year ago that China, with its 1.2 billion residents, would likely become a big force in Route 66 tourism in the coming years.
Today, a report in the Kingman Daily Miner in Kingman, Ariz., strengthened my hunch. Nearly 40 Chinese citizens, under the auspices of that country’s branches of Cadillac and General Motors, are touring the Mother Road. The important excerpts:
Rick Thomas of Marcom said that there is a growing middle class in China with increasing wealth and a fascination with the freedom and mobility represented by Route 66. He described them as “a great crowd: incredibly curious …. They don’t have the automotive history (that the U.S. does). They don’t have access to the ‘pop icons’ we take for granted: old cars, trains, even junkyards.” […]
Photos and video of the tour will be used in China as part of an advertising campaign focusing on the freedom of Route 66 and what Thomas described as a similar highway in China, the National Highway 109. Some members of the media were blogging about the trip as they traveled.
The New Yorker reported last year that the number of Chinese tourists probably will reach 100 million a year by the end of decade.
And you can bet a portion of them are going to want to travel Route 66 — especially when you’ve got a major carmaker publicizing that historic highway.
(Hat tip: Jim Hinckley)
I was proud to be a part of this deligation as their historian/66 tour guide…Marcom, Inc. led by Rick Thomas and crew did an excellent job putting the tour together and our Chinese visitors enjoyed an exciting time on Route 66. Thanks to all involved, I enjoyed being a small part of this cultural exchange. Bob Lile will post photos on FB tonight or tomorrow (I am catching up on my rest.)
WE had a blast hosting them here at the Blue Swallow. We knew Rick from our old lives in Michigan, and reconnected completely by accident, and so appreciated having the group here. The Watson’s BBQ here was great, and we were impressed by the prefessionalism and attention to detail of the entire support crew. There are already photos of the visit here on the Blue Swallow Facebook page in a specific album for this group, and watch for photos of Bob in the BBQ line!