Jiajia He, from Canton Province in southern China, is the Hilltops Council’s new ally in their bid to get more tourists to the region.
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The Economics and Commerce major at the Australian National University started a four - month intern placement with Council recently.
Jiajia, or Karen as she prefers to be called in English, has taken a keen interest in the region’s Chinese export potential and inbound tourism opportunities.
Hilltops Council Administrator Wendy Tuckerman said the Council is delighted to welcome Karen to Council.
“Karen will be working with Council’s economic development, tourism and events staff," she said.
"From the outset, it’s very clear that she has a unique set of skills and has been able to bring a totally different viewpoint to Council’s economic development and tourism initiatives.
"Over the coming months, Council will also seek to engage with the Chinese Embassy in Canberra to improve and sympathetically enhance the Chinese heritage in the region including the Murrumburrah Chinese Cemetery and Lambing Flat Chinese Tribute Garden."
Karen said she is looking forward to gaining work skills during the internship.
"I enjoy the marketing work I'm doing promoting the region to Chinese visitors and I appreciate the experience I am gaining to kick start my own career," she said.
"I'm surprised by the rich history in Young and the economic potential of the local businesses for increased trade with China.
"I'll be helping Council with regional economic development, Chinese heritage projects and tourism initiatives. I’m also happy to be helping with this year’s Lambing Flat Chinese Festival."
I enjoy promoting the region to Chinese visitors.
- Jiajia He (Karen)
Mrs Tuckerman said the region is already well known to Chinese Australians for its Cherry production, pick your own experiences and events such as the National Cherry Festival.
"The Chinese market offers enormous opportunities for growth in the Hilltops Region – both through the new Free Trade Agreement and the expected increase in Chinese visitors to Australia," she said.
"Chinese consumers are increasingly looking for high-quality food, wine and fruit products which are sourced from clean environments such as the Hilltops Region.”