The Travel Visa Company has become an associate member of The Association of Touring and Adventure Suppliers to increase awareness among travel agents about its services.
Based in Crewe, Cheshire, the company supplies business and tourist visas to independent and corporate agents.
Karen Taylor, joint managing director, said: “We are excited to be part of it, and are looking forward to being at the conference in Manchester (September 18-19) and the other Atas Connects events.”
Keni Chan, business development executive, said membership of Atas offered “a mix of mutual benefits”.
“We have years of experience providing passport and visa advice – it can be a bit of a minefield,” he said.
“Our teams are all trained specialists in different areas and we take pressure off agents with the advice we can give.”
The company recently launched a new Chinese visa service which makes the application much easier for UK tourists.
It followed a change in Chinese policy last November, which meant would-be UK visitors to China have to supply more information and have their fingerprints registered at centres in London, Manchester or Edinburgh.
The Travel Visa Company’s new group e-visa can be obtained by groups of two or more for a stay of up to 20 days, without the need to submit biometric information before travel.
Taylor said: “The latest Chinese visa requirements are proving extremely problematic for our clients who have booked holidays to China.
“Travellers are getting frustrated as they have to make a personal appearance at one of the three application centres that cover the UK, especially as the appointments are only available Monday to Friday before 3pm.
“Those applicants that are unable to secure an appointment are facing the potential of missed departure dates.
“In a bid to ease the situation for our clients and the travel industry, we travelled to China to meet with officials, enabling the introduction of our new service.”
Pictured from left: Ray Ward, joint managing director, Dan Hutt, head of China, Karen Taylor and Keni Chan.