Chinese Singer-Songwriter Wanting Qu First Tourism Vancouver Ambassador

Wanting Qu | BCBusiness
Wanting Qu performs in Toronto

Tourism Vancouver announced yesterday that Chinese singer-songwriter Wanting Qu will be Vancouver’s first-ever tourism ambassador to Mainland China.

Chinese singer-songwriter Wanting Qu, whose latest album Everything In The World has gone triple platinum in China, has been signed on as Tourism Vancouver’s first-ever tourism ambassador in Mainland China.

Qu’s appointment is meant to help capitalize on one of Vancouver’s fastest-growing visitor markets. In 2012, China brought 150,000 overnight visitors to Vancouver, a number that is expected to grow by 16 per cent in 2013.

Wanting, Mayor Gregor Robertson said, “is representative of the incredibly talented overseas Chinese who are part of Vancouver.” He added that the city is proud to be a growing global hub for creative talent.

Born in Harbin, China, Wanting honed her talent in Vancouver where she began composing her own music at age 16. She will produce a series of videos that feature Vancouver seen through her eyes, focusing on winter and summer adventures, sustainability, health and lifestyle, culture and cuisine.

“I love the food over here, I love the culture. People are loving and welcoming and warm, they don’t just go, ‘I don’t like you because you’re different.’ They’re very accepting,” Wanting told Global News.

The announcement of Wanting’s appointment comes on the heels of legislation being produced for tabling at first reading in the house yesterday for Destination BC, the destination marketing organization for the province that the Liberals will put into effect in April.