Shanghai GP Boost Tourism Sector

Tourism to the area has seen an enormous boost. For the first six months of 2005, Shanghai saw a rise in visitor numbers of almost quarter of the corresponding period of the previous year. To put that in some perspective, in excess of 2.7 million people visited shanghai in the first six months of 2005-more than the total for the whole of 2002. it has been calculated that one million people visited F1-related events over the race weekend. Of these, 30 percent are thought to be from Shanghai area. 55 percent from elsewhere in China, with the remaining 15 percent in overseas.

The important of F1 was illustrated by Jaguar’s head of public relations, Paul Chadderton. He said: “ Formula one offers massive exposure for any brand involved at a high level. It is relevant in countries where a brand is not well established.” Jaguar officially began to be imported to China to coincide with the 2004 inaugural Chinese Grand Prix.

Renault is another automobile company involved in F1. it has been using the sport to raise its brand awareness in the country, which now offers huge market opportunities. Tony Qian, the French company’s brand manager at Shanghai ZhongTai Motor Sales Ltd. Explained: “I think Formula One promotion is a success. Compared to other brands, Renault was not as well known in China. Now many people showed us they are willing to buy Renault.