Glenfiddich goes Chinese

Published: 23 July, 2008

The distillery in Scotland's Dufftown has employed a Chinese-speaking guide to tackle an influx of oriental tourists.

Hong Kong-born Ines Hiu Ting Shek will host tours for the growing number of visitors from China.

She speaks five languages - Cantonese and Mandarin, Dutch, French and English.

Last year, Chinese tourists rose by 37.5%. The distillery said this year it has already encountered record levels of Chinese visitors.

Glenfiddich spokeswoman said: "We have recruited over 30 guides to help us out over the busy summer months and between them they speak 10 different languages.

Shek, a management studies student at Aberdeen University said: "It is very exciting to be living at Glenfiddich. I have just started my training as a guide and there is a lot to learn but I am really looking forward to taking my first tour group around."

Other Scottish distillers, which offer English tours, said they haven't seen a noticeable rise in Chinese tourists but are attracting Japanese tourists.

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