Arizona has kicked off a search for travel PR targeting China with an RFP process through early January.

The Arizona Office of Tourism is calling for pitches to work travel trade, media and consumer awareness in mainland China, the fastest growing international market to the U.S. and one of the fastest growing markets to Arizona.

The state has not previously had marketing or PR representation in China.

A firm is required to have a China office and act as the AOT's de facto office in the country, in addition to PR duties. The winning firm will also be required to attend the Arizona Governor's Conference on Tourism in July in Tucson.

Proposals are due Jan. 10, 2013. View the RFP (PDF). [Updated: The deadline has been extended to Jan. 17, 2013.]

Hills Balfour handles U.K. PR for the AOT while HMA PR works the U.S. The state's Canada and Mexico tourism PR pacts are slated to be up for review in 2013.

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