Creative Holidays launch China for travel in 2007

Creative Holidays has launched a new Creative Experiences China program, which brochures an extensive selection of holiday options and showcases the diverse highlights of the country. Consultants will find this year’s program a strong selling tool for clients looking for a holiday with difference in 2007.

Creative Holidays’ China product provides flexibility for agents, to offer their clients a choice of holidays from group touring and independent itineraries to Ministays and straight hotel and accommodation options.

The product range provides extensive FIT components including domestic air, cruise and rail sectors to cater for the changing demands of Australian travellers visiting modern China. Creative Experiences 2007 range showcases Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Guangzhou as well as South West China and Central China.

With Creative Holidays’ new Creative Experiences China program your clients can explore the Great Wall; visit the fascinating Terracotta Warriors; cruise along the amazing Yangtze River and see the breathtaking engineering development of the Three Gorges Dam Project; see Giant Pandas; discover the history of Tiananmen Square or explore the holy capital of Lhasa, one of the world’s highest cities and a place of devout pilgrimage.

Andrew Yell, GM Sales, Product and Marketing, Creative Holidays said, “We added China to our product portfolio and have experienced fantastic growth over the last 12 months. This has demonstrated that product such as our Yangtze cruises are an easy, affordable and logical extension to any visit to China. This season we have expanded our selection of Yangtze River cruises on the back of demand in 2006, as well as offering a choice of cabin category for the first time.

“China’s increasing popularity with travellers, which can also be attributed to the upcoming Beijing Olympics, has seen us expand our hotel and accommodation options in Beijing and Shanghai”.  “We are also attributing this growth to an increase in travellers looking for more flexibility and choice while travelling around China, as well as more requests for family accommodation, or accommodation suited to adults travelling with children”.

“We have also released a new Best of China nine-night itinerary departing daily from Shanghai offering a choice of three, four or five star accommodation with daily breakfast, which we are expecting to be a popular option (package is priced from $2533 per person, twin share, land only)”.  “We expect this tour to sell well as it covers and extensive range of sightseeing in the major cities of Shanghai, Beijing and Xian including, Yu Yuan Gardens and Acrobats in Shanghai, Terracotta Warriors and a Tang Dynasty Dance Spectacular in Xian and The Forbidden City and Great Wall in Beijing”.

“China is a great destination for Australian travellers as it’s easy to get to with direct flights from the east coast, accessible gateways and a choice of airlines plus, it there is such broad destination appeal and an extensive variety and choice of product”.

“Consultants should consider offering their clients group touring wherever it’s suitable as these trips offer the best possible value, even with small groups. We also recommend agents be aware of key domestic holiday periods in China as major tourist areas can become heavily booked and difficult to confirm.”

Here is an outline of one of Creative’s new itineraries in 2007:

Independent Touring itinerary – Best of China (Shanghai to Beijing) nine nights from $2533 per person, twin share (land only ). 

This is an informative and fascinating tour of three fascinating cities in China – Shanghai, Beijing and Xian. This trip highlights the major cultural wonders of each city including, Shanghai: visit the traditional Chinese town of Zhujiajiao, Shanghai Museum, Yu Yuan gardens (from the Ming Dynasty), walk through the Old Quarter, stroll along the Bund and visit Shanghai’s shopping district, Nanjing Road. Xian: see the 2000 year old Terracotta Warriors, visit the Neolithic Ban Po Village, see an underground village and enjoy a Tang Dynasty music and dance spectacular. You will also visit the Tang Museum, see Wild Goose Pagoda, one of the most picturesque temples in China, explore the back streets of the Old Quarter, visit the Old Mosque and see the recently discovered Han Tombs. Beijing: wander around Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and gate of Heavenly Peace, see medieval backstreets of Hutong by cyclo, and enjoy a performance by the colourful Beijing Opera. You’ll also take a full day trip out to the Great Wall of China including a visit to the remote Mutianyu section, where you can take a cable car to the top of the wall. While in Beijing there are also trips to the Summer Palace, Lama Temple and Beijing Zoo, where you can see the beautiful Giant Pandas.

Package includes: transport by air-conditioned vehicle, English speaking local tour guide, comprehensive sightseeing and entrance fees, your selected category of accommodation, many meals and airfares (Shanghai to Xian and Xian to Beijing). Departs daily from January 2007 to March, 2008.

Creative Holidays is Australia’s largest independent wholesaler, so consultants can offer their clients the choice of booking the air component of their holiday with five leading airlines; Cathay Pacific, Malaysian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Qantas and Thai Airways.

Creative Holidays’ China holiday program is a comprehensive information source and research tool to help you plan your clients’ holiday and features impartial destination information supplied by Lonely Planet including temperature charts, country and area maps, event details, currency and dining information, travel facts, country highlights and much more throughout.

For further information please www.creativeholidays.com

Report by The Mole