Modern Marco Polo 2014 Found

A global search has led to one lucky recruit landing their dream job and becoming the Modern Marco Polo.

After a worldwide campaign, 26-year-old London man Liam Bates has been named as the new ambassador for the city of Hangzhou in China. He follows in the footsteps of legendary Italian traveler Marco Polo, who visited Hangzhou in the 13th Century.

Liam has secured a €40,000 salary and will spend a year promoting Hangzhou on social media, with the aim of encouraging more visitors to the city in south eastern China. He was crowned the Modern Marco Polo at a lavish ceremony on the banks of the Grand Canal in Hangzhou at the start of his own personal 19-day tour of the city and surrounding area. The tour will include a four-day trip along the canal and activities based around topics such as tea, silk, traditional medicine and the art of sigillography (seal carving).

 This is the first time that a global recruitment campaign has been held to find a foreign ambassador for a Chinese city. The “Be the Modern Marco PoloProgram” was launched by the Hangzhou Tourism Commission’s Facebook page in March 2013 and subsequently attracted 26,000 applications from hopefuls wishing to get the chance to learn more about China and its cultural highlights.

 The campaign included a Hangzhou quiz and Travel Gear challenge, as well as four online experience sessions connected to Hangzhou and China: My Chinese Name, My Chinese Menu, My Chinese Costume and My Chinese Love Story. Candidates had to complete a minimum of three challenges and were also required to submit their CVs to apply. After short listing five candidates, each of whom posted their own video on social media and outlined their plans for the job, it was Liam who was chosen to represent Hangzhou.The success of the Modern Marco Polo campaign led to Hangzhou being the most Googled destination in China in 2013.