(NVR) - The number of visitors from China to California is growing and their taste for Napa wines is growing too. How best to reach and treat these consumers both here and their home was among the discussions at a recent CANVAS workshop.

China is already the No. 1 international spender in the United States, surpassing Canada this year, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce, said Charlie Gu, director of China Luxury Advisors.

“California is also a major beneficiary. California welcomed nearly 1 million Chinese visitors in 2014, a 21.6 percent increase over 2013, making China the largest source of overseas visitors for the state. Chinese visitors spent more than $2.5 billion in the state in 2014,” Gu said.

Gu was one of four panelists who presented at the “Serving the Chinese Visitor” workshop hosted by CANVAS (Concierge Alliance of Napa Valley and Sonoma) held at Cameo Cinema on Aug. 30.

A change in the visa policy that took place in November 2014, creating a 10-year reciprocal business and tourist visa between the U.S. and China, is largely responsible for the visitor increase. The visa can be automatically renewed, which is a “game changer,” Gu said, and makes it easier for Chinese visitors to come to the U.S.