What’s better than a major milestone? Two milestones. For Wendy Wu Tours, returning to China was a momentous event. That it happened at around the same time it celebrated its 25th anniversary, made it an even bigger occasion for the company.
What’s more, Wendy Wu, one of the world’s most well-known China travel specialists, this week also announced the reinstatement of its China visa processing on behalf of its clients.
In what it calls an “exclusive arrangement”, the news marks the first time a Chinese visa centre has granted this privilege to a touring company in Australia since 2018.
UK-based Wendy Wu, who has been in Australia to celebrate the company’s 25th birthday, among other business, said the landmark deal symbolised a turning point for travel to China.
“This is a major milestone from a tourism perspective,” Wu said.
“Wendy Wu Tours is the first touring company to be granted the statute to apply on behalf of customers, meaning travellers no longer must make an appointment, travel in person and queue to lodge it.
“In my view, it’s one of the most eagerly anticipated updates to be made since China first removed travel restrictions and reopened its borders on 15 March 2023. A big, positive step to revive tourism from Australia to China.”
Breaking a barrier to bookings
Wu said the 12-page visa application process tied up with booking a trip to China had disillusioned many prospective travellers to the country.
“Entrusting a tour operator with the responsibility to lodge visa paperwork on behalf of clients is the next important step in recovery, and I consider it a win – not only for travellers but for all travel agents and outbound operators working so hard to kickstart visitation to the destination,” added Wu.
“It means less complication in accessing travel to China for Australians, encouraging those wanting to visit China for the first time following the pandemic to proceed with no complication.”
After meeting with Wu in Sydney, CATO managing director Brett Jardine said, “Wendy Wu’s unwavering optimism and tireless commitment to the industry’s future were evident throughout [our] conversation”.
“While candid in her assessment of the challenges faced in recent years, Wendy is truly an inspiration -always upbeat in her assessment of the future which is testament to her enduring impact on the travel industry.”
But the company is about much more than travel to China.
25 years just the beginning
Celebrating the company’s 25th anniversary at Aria restaurant in Sydney on Thursday, Wu flagged the popularity of Japan – sold out for the Cherry Blossom season next year until the end of May 2024.
Addressing guests at the event, Wu also spoke heavily about the diversification of the company’s product, which saw it introduce tours to Portugal and the UK during the pandemic.
Additionally, Wendy Wu Tours now operates trips to Turkey, Israel, Jordan, Egypt and South America, alongside top sellers China, Japan and Southeast Asia.
ATIA tribute
Special guest speaker, Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) CEO Dean Long, recognised Wu as someone who had not just been “pushing doors open for her own business, but creating opportunities for Australia and China to work far more closely together”.
“You’ve been at the forefront of that your entire career,” Long said, describing Wu as a pioneer who understood “Western business and Eastern business”.
“You’ve created opportunities not just for yourself, your team, but for businesses to follow into the emergence of the Asian century that we’re now in.”
Among others present at the event were travel advisors, Cathay Pacific and A Force for Good Hub founder Hélène Taylor, who regaled an emotional story about a girl from a Sri Lankan orphanage who it had sponsored and Wu had supported. The girl eventually came to study in Australia and now works at Globus.
For more information on Wendy Wu Tours, click here.
Last month, Emma Newton joined Wendy Wu as its newest state account manager.
Here’s how you can save on 2024 trips now with Wendy Wu Tours.
