PHILADELPHIA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU APPOINTS JEFFREY YAU AS INTERNATIONAL TOURISM SALES MANAGER

Philadelphia, PA - August 22, 2016 - The Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jeffrey Yau as International Tourism Sales Manager, starting today.

In this role, Yau will be continuing the PHLCVB's efforts of promoting Philadelphia throughout the Asia Pacific region to international travelers, with the goal of increasing visitation and tourism spending. He will work with tour operators encouraging them to include Philadelphia as part of their itineraries and is charged with expanding Philadelphia's presence at major tradeshows and events; leading to greater exposure for the city to an international audience.

“We have seen strong growth and interest from international visitors, particularly from the Asia Pacific region,” stated Brian Said, executive director of tourism at PHLCVB. “China, specifically, continues to be one of our strongest feeder markets for international visitors. The new 10-year Chinese visa program increases the likelihood that visitors will make multiple trips the U.S. and we have a great opportunity to leverage this new structure and encourage visitation to Philadelphia. Jeffrey will be a key team member activating our international tourism strategy and will be integral to our success in attracting more international visitors to our region.”

Seven other Asia Pacific countries (Australia, Brunei, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan) are also part of the visa waiver program, increasingly making the U.S. a more accessible and popular destination.

“I'm excited for the opportunity to promote Philadelphia as a top tier tourism destination among visitors interested in traveling to the U.S,” said Yau.  

Yau joins the PHLCVB following his recent role as Tourism Sales Manager at Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board. His previous work experiences include working with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Korff Enterprise in New York City.

Yau has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and Psychology and studied Australian studies in Melbourne, Australia. He is also a certified travel industry specialist.

To find out more about PHLCVB's work in the international markets, visit www.discoverPHL.com/international.

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About Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau

Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), www.discoverPHL.com, a private non-profit membership corporation, is the official Tourism Promotion Agency for the City of Philadelphia globally, and the primary sales and marketing agency for the expanded Pennsylvania Convention Center. The PHLCVB competes with its counterparts worldwide for convention and tourism business. The organization has divisions dedicated to the multicultural, sports, and life sciences markets.