Prime minister congratulates easyJet
Prime minister David Cameron has welcomed easyJet’s decision to launch a dedicated Chinese homepage in response to the growing number of Chinese customers booking flights via its website.
EasyJet managing director Carolyn McCall said it had taken the step after seeing a 25% increase in bookings from China this year compared with 2-12.
"Along with the other BRIC economies, the demand from Chinese customers is predicted to continue to grow over the coming years which means that, with a dedicated homepage, easyJet is ideally positioned to capture more of the market of the millions of Chinese who are travelling to and within Europe every year," she said.
Speaking during his trade mission to China, the PM said he also welcomed easyJet’s decision to sign up to VisitBritain’s China Welcome Charter, which is trying to encourage businesses to make the UK "the most welcoming destination in Europe" by 2015.
"As we compete in the global race, I welcome easyJet’s move to launch a dedicated Chinese homepage and their commitment to VisitBritain’s China Welcome Charter, all of which underlines that Britain is open for business.
"This Government’s priority is to secure the economic recovery and we are determined to all we can to help British companies to succeed," said the PM.
"I am firmly committed to playing my part which is why I have taken more than 130 business delegates to China. My aim is to open the door for them in this fast-growing market, creating opportunities for them to expand their business."
Customers using easyJet’s Chinese homepage will benefit from content translated into simplified Mandarin with information about flying with easyJet.
The site will also have the its ‘Inspire Me’ tool which helps customers find the lowest fares and they will be able to connect to a Chinese version of Booking.com’s website, easyJet’s hotel partner.
Customers will also be able to book their flights in any one of nine currencies.
EasyJet’s current bookings show that Paris is the most popular European destination closely followed by Milan, Rome, Nice, Barcelona, London, Edinburgh and Belfast.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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