For a man with a mayoralty platform heavy on tourism, Jim Watson’s Chinese name is very appropriate.
According to translator Jin-Tiong Tan, a retired uOttawa professor, Watson’s Chinese name, Wan Jin Si, literally means “Countless Number, to Promote Events, Thoughtfully.”
“I’m not making this up,” said Watson before distributing new English/Chinese campaign signs to businesses along Somerset Street.
The signs, he admits, are for a politician trying to appeal to a targeted audience, but concept should be applied to marketing Ottawa to visitors from China.
If Ottawa wants to capitalize on Canada being an approved destination for Chinese tourists, there will have to be more Chinese signs, he said.
As mayor, Watson said he would have a policy of making one international visit per year. That would help focus official visits to best help Ottawa create economic activities, while keeping travel costs down.
During his time as mayor, Larry O’Brien has only made two official international trips and both were this year.
