Specialist operator Wendy Wu Tours has added capacity for 2024 and 2025 tours in China to cater for “unprecedented” demand.
It held a series of events for ‘China Week’ (June 12-16) in partnership with the China National Tourist Office to celebrate the return of international tourism in the destination.
Travel agencies encouraged bookings with China-themed initiatives, while ‘Chinatown takeovers’ were held in London, Birmingham, and Manchester.
These saw more than 300 agents and guests take part in Chinese banquets, virtual tours and musical performances.
Wendy Wu, founder of Wendy Wu Tours, said: “China Week has been an incredible success and I’m simply blown away by the entire travel industry across the UK who have come together in support of China and celebrating China’s return in such a dynamic way.
“Our social media and reservations teams have never been so busy, fielding calls and enquiries.
“In just one day we took over 200 calls in the space of four hours, putting an incredible strain on our telephone systems.”
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Glen Mintrim, chief executive at Wendy Wu Tours, added: “It’s been pandemonium. The last time we saw anything marginally close to these levels of interest was in 2019, and even that had nothing on this.
“In the seven days of China Week, we’ve had to increase not only our capacity for 2024 departures, but also those for 2025, as we just couldn’t keep up with the demand.
“It’s clear to see that with over three years’ pent-up demand for China holidays, plus all the new interest, China is back in a very big way.
“There’s a real appetite for fully inclusive touring in China.”
He said there is more demand for holidays taking clients off the beaten track, so the operator has new holidays for 2024 such as ‘Dreams of Nature’ tour, featuring Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, which was the inspiration for the movie Avatar.
Early booking discounts are available until July 17 on several departures in 2024, offering savings up to £500 per person.
Pictured at the Holiday Warehouse, Solihull, from left: Karen Price, Chris So Woon Yuen (Wendy Wu Tours) and Nicola Hopkins.