P&O Travel targets China foothold
P&O Travel is in negotiations to acquire an agency in China to strengthen its Asian network.
The agency already has operations in Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok and India and has just appointed a representation company in Beijing to gain a foothold into the Republic.
But managing director Tony Hughes said it was also in talks with an agency with a view to making a purchase this year.
“We have appointed a representation company to establish ourselves in the market,” he said. “It is an authorised representative of P&O Travel and can book tickets and open doors for us. That’s the only way you can access the Chinese market. There are tremendous barriers but they are easing.”
He said its Asian operations were mainly inbound and outbound tour operating business but also business travel.
“This is the biggest emerging market,” he said.