China Office Update
Chinese Tour Operators Design Themed Itineraries for Travelers to USA
Brand USA China recently invited local tour operators and travel agencies to come up with new ideas for U.S. itineraries, by introducing the first “U.S. Travel Itinerary Design Competition” on its B2B WeChat social-media platform.
The competition, which ran during August and September, garnered entries from product managers at more than 100 outbound-tour operators and agencies.
Panels of judges at Brand USA China selected 20 winners for each of the competition’s three categories. Then, Brand USA China posted the 60 winning itineraries on its public, B2B WeChat site. The postings elicited 78,000 views and 64,000 votes on WeChat. Voters were mostly members of China’s travel industry, who are apt to check Brand USA China updates.
Ultimate winners emerged in the three categories, as described here:
- In the “most creative itinerary” category, Xia Zicong at Shenzhen Port Travel Service -Glorious Studio submitted the top entry, “Exploring the Architecture and Arts of the U.S. in 15 Days.”
The itinerary features visits to prominent architectural sites and art museums in these Midwest and East Coast cities: Chicago (Illinois); Detroit (Michigan); Cleveland (Ohio); Pittsburgh and Philadelphia (Pennsylvania); New York City (New York); Boston (Massachusetts); and Washington, D.C.
Places of architectural interest on the trip include the designs of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis I. Kahn, and I.M. Pei.
- The “most popular itinerary” was “10 Days of Affordable Luxury in L.A. and Las Vegas.” Wang Jie at Zhejiang Everbright Bravo International Travel Co., Ltd., submitted the proposed trip.
Those who opt for this journey would travel by business-class and stay at five-star hotels in both Los Angeles (California) and Las Vegas (Nevada). They would also indulge in gourmet dining during the trip. In Los Angeles, the luxury extends to rides in high-end sports cars. And, in Las Vegas, a helicopter tour of the city is on the schedule.
- Top entry in the “American experience” category was “Night at the Museum,” submitted by Chen Mengqi, at America International Travel Service. This trip calls for visits to Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia (Pennsylvania); and New York City (New York).
Travelers would get to see the National Museum of American History in Washington, and the American Museum of Natural History and New York Public Library in New York. They would also visit The Amish Village, located in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and Longwood Gardens, two prominent attractions just west of Philadelphia.
Each of the three winning product managers received a certificate from Brand USA China. Another 20 entries also earned awards of excellence.
WeChat is considered to be the leading digital-marketing channel in China.