As travel to Japan booms for Wendy Wu Tours, its founder and namesake is preparing to make a trip of her own to the world’s hottest destination. But it’s a journey with a difference.
In April, the travel industry icon plans to relocate to the Asian nation, leaving her longtime home base in London.
On a recent visit to Australia, Wu tells Karryon she intends to stay in the country for “three to four years” so she can, essentially, dive deeper into the destination, which has become one of the most important for the Wendy Wu brand. Because Wu, despite her status, is nothing if not a hands-on boss.
However, despite the continuing rise of Japan, Wu is more excited about another destination – and one on an upwards trajectory.
“I always tell people… if you’re thinking of going to China, go now, because China has changed so much,” she says of the business’s spiritual home.
And that progress in itself is worth seeing.
“So many different aspects of China will shock you – like you will think they are maybe a developing country, but actually they’re so developed.”
Wendy Wu Tours has a remarkable history of touring in China. According to Wu, it was the first company to take Western travellers to Zhangjiajie, which served as the “backdrop for the film Avatar”.
“The scenery along the journey is absolutely stunning, but… we took six hours to get there,” she said at a media lunch in Sydney last week.
“Now, it’s half an hour by bullet train.” There’s that progress.
Wu also flags Chongqing, China’s Silicon Valley. Once just the hop-on/hop-off point for Yangtze River cruises, it’s now a “changed, transformed” city.
“You know the film ‘Bladerunner’? This is ten times better. It’s as futuristic as that.”
It also has “one of the most stunning evening cruises in China” (“on par” with Shanghai), a world-record drone show and around 1,000 hot springs, making it the “real capital city of hot springs”.
With demand for its China tours rising (its Christmas tours have “doubled”, for instance), Wu also unveiled the brand’s new China Uncovered trip, a 20-day, fully inclusive tour designed to deliver deeper, more contemporary experiences that go beyond traditional highlights.
Shock winners
Beyond China, Wu says the two destinations that have “surprised” with their popularity in the past 12 months are Indonesia (not just Bali) and Mongolia.
Along with its remarkable landscapes, Wendy highlights the warmth of Mongolia’s people, regaling a story of a shared meal with strangers and overnighting at a local family home. Though she doesn’t rave about the “absolutely terrible” food.
In Indonesia, Wu mentions the world’s largest Buddhist temple, located in Central Java, and the country’s famous Komodo dragons.
Bigger is better?
When asked about the rise of smaller-group touring, Wu points out an advantage larger groups have that many wouldn’t consider.
“We have two kinds [of touring]. One is called Classic Tours. It’s proven that 28 [people] is the best,” she tells Karryon.
“You have three meals together. When you have 28 people, you have three tables. And normally, people get on together very well. But sometimes you will get one person or two… you just don’t want to spend all that time [with them].”
With three tables (and therefore larger groups), Wendy says you have more choice of companions. Anyone who’s been on a tour or famil with a bad apple could relate. So could any parent who’s ever wanted a wider circle of friends for their child.
“That is very important. You don’t want to be stuck with someone if you don’t like them.”
Another point relates to space.
“When we have 28, we have a big coach, so everybody is very comfortable – so we want to stay that way,” she explains.
But the company covers its bases, also offering Go Beyond trips and even solo-traveller journeys.
“Go Beyond is not fully inclusive. So these are for the people who want to explore a little bit,” Wu says.
“And then we also have solo travellers. When you travel solo with us, you’re never alone, but some solo people… they want to travel only with other solos. So we have solo departures… that’s only 18 [people] maximum.”
KARRYON UNPACKS: Japan may be booming, but Wendy Wu is doubling down on China and defending 28-seat coaches. For travel advisors, evolving China product and flexible group styles mean fresh reasons to re-sell Asia.
Images Mark Harada (unless stated)
