Rockland County welcomed several Chinese tourism professionals Wednesday, in hope of expanding the market for tourists in China coming to the United States.

The group of tourism professionals and travel agents were taken by bus around Rockland County. Their first stop was in Nyack to see construction of the new Tappan Zee Bridge.

The visit of the 30 Chinese professionals was arranged by Lucy Redzeposki, Rockland's director of Economic Growth and Tourism.

She says the reason for bringing tourism professional and travel agents to the county is to show what Rockland has to offer tourists.

"What it means for us in Rockland County is an opportunity to showcase, to let them see what is here, what's available for them, so that they can come here and be intrigued, and come and visit Rockland County," says Redzeposki.

The long term goal is to get visitors to spend money at local Rockland County businesses.