Travel Agent - March 3, 2008 - (Page 80)

NEWS IMPACT Panda Travel, USA Promotes Travel to Western China Hunter Wang, CEO of Panda Travel, USA (left) and Travel Agent’s Chris Coon (center) and Mark Rogers CHINA MOST TOUR OPERATORS concentrate on China’s Big Four: Beijing, Shanghai, Xian and the Yangtze River. Panda Travel, USA (www.farechina.com), a tour operator based in Alhambra, CA, tends to see the whole breadth of possibilities within China, and is especially adept in creating itineraries that explore less-visited Western China. “The potential for tourism to Western China is huge,” says Hunter Wang, CEO of Panda Travel, USA. “Two-thirds of the World Heritage Sites of China are located in the country’s 12 western provinces, and the natural scenery has great charm.” Wang notes that the hotels in Western China are “at the highest level.” Panda Travel, USA has a 10year history as a travel wholesaler specializing in China, although Wang has 25 years in the tourism business, giving him deep ties with regional tourist boards throughout China. “Connections equal money and productivity,” he says. “We have the knowledge and vision to assure success.” targeting U.S. couples, tentatively scheduled for November. In addition to its scheduled departures and programs, Panda Travel, USA can create fully customized itineraries. “We’ll focus on China instead of dual-destination tours,” says Wang. “China is a big enough market.” Even so, on request, the company can add destinations such as Vietnam, Mongolia and Korea to a scheduled itinerary. Panda Travel, USA uses Asiana Airlines as its preferred carrier and partners with river-cruise operator CCOTC on the Yangtze River components of its tour programs. Panda Travel, USA, Inc. will be participating in a number of road shows and seminars to introduce China’s tourist attractions, hotels, restaurants and culture to travel agents. These will be scheduled either just before or after Luxury Travel Expo 2008, to be held in Las Vegas December 2-4, at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. During this same period, they’ll also add road shows in Los Angeles and San Francisco. When predicting Panda Travel, USA’s success in the U.S, Wang is fond of quoting a Chinese saying: “The old tide will be replaced by the new tide.” Panda Travel, USA pays 10 percent commission to travel agents. The travel agent contact for the company is Joseph Lee. He can be contacted at info@farechina.com or 626-281-2938. I Breathtaking mountain vista in Zhangjiajie, China Increasing U.S. Market Wang’s goal is to increase Panda Travel, USA’s presence in the U.S. market, which currently accounts for 50 percent of the company’s business. “We’d like to grow our percentage of U.S. travelers to 90 percent,” he says. Upcoming specialized tours from Panda Travel, USA include a Medical Tourism Tour with a tentative August/September tour date, and a Honeymoon Group Tour CONNECTING YOU Have clients who are interested in traveling to and exploring China? Get more information at www.travel agentcentral.com/china 80 | TravelAgent March 3, 2008 http://www.farechina.com http://www.travelagentcentral.com/china http://www.travelagentcentral.com/china

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Travel Agent - March 3, 2008 Online Now Contents Contributors From the Editor From the Publisher Special Supplement: Planet Hollywood Florida: We Checkout Four Hotels in Key West, the Southernmost Point in the Continental U.S. Europe: Ruthanne Terrero’s Tuscan Adventure Pacific/Asia: Five-Star Hotels in Bangkok Las Vegas: Where Your Clients Go for Golf Outings Central & South America: Starwood Leads Expansion by Hoteliers in Latin America Pacific Northwest: The Fairmont Empress Celebrates its 100th Birthday this Year Alaska: Take a Tour of Anchorage Alaska Briefs Caribbean & Bahamas: La Romana in the Dominican Republic Offers Fun and Pampering Cruises: The Key to Success for River Cruise Lines Full Panama Canal Transits Cruise Briefs Cover Story: Hot Hotels Special Supplement: Spa Specialist Hotels: Venice Beach Eco-Cottages Hotel Briefs Auto Europe: Company Offers Competitive Prices and High Commissions Agency Profile: The Travel Society Charts a Course for Expansion Revelex Revolution: Deal with Am Ex affirms status as Major Provider in Travel Industry Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Volunteer Leadership Future of Hawaii’s Cruise Industry Panda Travel, USA Caribbean News In the Spotlight Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - March 3, 2008

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