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Demand for student group travel to China up by a third

A 30% rise in student group travel to China this year is being reported by specialist GTC Travel Group with no sign of any negative Brexit impact.

The group flight firm expects growth trends to continue to rise in 2019 in line with an increase in the number of British students learning Mandarin.

This follows the number of students sitting A level Chinese exams growing by 9% to outstrip German for the first time.

Demand for travel to China for cultural and language exchange has risen significantly as a result, according to the company.

A 15% increase in groups on adventure trips and charity projects to Kenya and South Africa has also been seen as schools broaden their horizons to provide compelling educational visits.

Harrow-based GTC Travel Group secures discounts with airlines for seats and organises flights for groups in a range of sectors, many with complex itineraries and requirements.

These include business and incentive travel, conferences and group leisure tours, educational groups, bands, choirs, orchestras and charity groups.

The company booked more than 30,000 seats this year.

Director Tahir Bhimani said: “While we have seen some of our corporate clients booking late and being cautious for 2019, Brexit has not dampened the enthusiasm of school group organisers, and demand from this sector is still growing.”

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