Odell, Simms & Associates, Inc. (OSA) announced that it has been awarded a two year contract to provide economic development services for the Tianmu Lake Tourist Resort District in Liyang City, Jiangsu Province, China. The resulting partnership will promote investment opportunities for North American business in the hotel, resort and tourism industries.
As Tianmu Lake's North American office, OSA will provide free and confidential services to companies in these and other sectors seeking to enter the Chinese market by assisting them in their due-diligence process and providing networking opportunities with top-level government officials and relevant companies in the business community.
Liyang's Mayor, George Gao, remarked 'After spending US$500 million on the regional infrastructure, we are prepared to work together with OSA to promote the development of the Tianmu Lake region. This partnership offers a unique opportunity for us to highlight the investment opportunities to North American companies and take advantage of OSA's expertise in investment promotion.'
Located two and one half hours west of Shanghai, the Tianmu Lake Resort District consists of twin lakes that cover 115 square miles of surface area and are known as the Eyes of Heaven. Tianmu Lake is situated within the serene and picturesque environment of Liyang City and has been given a 4A (highest) rating as a tourist destination by the central government.
Having just returned from Tianmu Lake Resort District, Stephanie Gillard, Director of Economic Development at OSA confirms, 'The Tianmu Lake area is poised to become the one gem in the Yangtze River Delta region. There is great development potential in China's tourism industry and now is the opportune time for North American investors, developers, and operators to investigate the lodging, recreation, amusement, and entertainment opportunities available in the Tianmu Lake Tourist Resort District.'
The lake is surrounded by mountains but is close to several urban centers and is easily accessible by several airports and major expressways, lending to the influx of tourists from many areas. The region prides itself on its crystal-clear water and because Liyang City has only light industrial development, the air and water quality are distinctly higher than other cities
While its reputation is known among the local and regional population, funds have recently been allocated to develop Tianmu Lake into a destination for both domestic and international tourists, and specific attention is focused on promoting the opportunity for international investors to develop the tourism industry in order to support increasing demands. As part of the Tianmu Lake development process, 125 square miles of land have been designated for development.
The results of the increased development and promotion of Tianmu Lake have been encouraging. From 2000 to 2004, the number of visitors to this area jumped from 1.1 million to 2.2 million. The district has hosted several competitive sporting events, conferences and festivals.
For additional information, contact Stephanie Gillard, Director of Economic Development at sgillard@odellsimms.com or 703-903-9797. www.odellsimms.com
About Odell, Simms & Associates, Inc.
Odell, Simms & Associates, Inc. (OSA) provides strategic marketing services to economic development agencies, corporations, and non-profit organizations worldwide. Services include investment promotion, business retention, corporate sponsorship, fundraising, and event planning. www.odellsimms.com
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