A blog about special interest group travel to the United Kingdom.
Sunday, 21 September 2014
Saturday, 20 September 2014
Cashing in on the Chinese Cash Cow - how the UK Tourism Industry can reach out to Tourists from China
Given that China is now the world’s most valuable tourist market, last year’s announcement by Chancellor George Osborne that Great Britain is to streamline the process of visa applications for Chinese tourists was perhaps not surprisingly broadly welcomed by all those involved in the UK tourism industry.
The benefits of this long overdue announcement works both ways: the Chinese love all things British -so much so that they even took the trouble to build ‘Thames Town’, about 20 miles from central Shanghai. And thanks to Mr.Osborne’s announcement, they can now experience the real thing!
But how can those involved in the tourism sector attract more visitors from this colossal market? Well, having a Chinese language section of your website is a good start, not least since practically all Chinese cannot read or understand English.
Next, make it easy for prospective customers to contact you by telephone, by means of a local telephone number. All calls must be answered in Mandarin, and possibly Cantonese – depending on where in China the caller is located.
Whilst the Chinese do not share our love affair with email, it is important that you can be reached by other means, such as instant messaging and contact forms. Agents that are deployed to answer inbound calls can also be tasked with making outbound ones on your behalf.
The Chinese do, however, share our love affair with social media – albeit with altogether different platforms. A Facebook or Twitter campaign aimed at winning more business from China is therefore an exercise in futility. The good news is that specialist agencies exist who will take your existing social media channels, then screen and translate all material into Chinese, and then help spread the word about your offering to Chinese social networks such as Sina Weibo, Tencent QQ Weibo, RenRen.and Wechat.
As for search, Baidu is their google – but all listings need to be vetted beforehand..
When deciding your pricing, avoid the number 4 if possible.
The Chinese are a superstitious people, and this number is associated with bad luck. The number 8, on the other hand, is associated with good luck, so bear this in mind when setting your pricing.
When it comes to paying you, don’t be surprised if your new customers pay you in cash. For online and telephone bookings, it is important that they can pay you using UnionPay, the only domestic bank card organization in the People's Republic of China.
When your Chinese visitors arrive it is important to treat them with courtesy and respect. For them, travelling is an honour and they expect to be treated with respect when they get here.
Whilst their fondness of all things luxury is well known, those in the lower to middle end of the market need not worry. Some stay at budget hotels, only to end up spending thousands of pounds shopping for branded consumer goods which are cheaper for them than in mainland China.
If your offering is a quintessentially British one, then milk it for all its worth – Brand Britain sells well to this vast receptive audience.
If you operate tours, try and include Bicester Village in Oxfordshire on your itinerary if possible. Their ‘Chic Outlet Shopping’ centre is proving to be a hit with Chinese tourists with Yuan to burn.
Given the expected number of tourists from China, those that spend a little time, money, and effort to increase their visibility to Chinese visitors today can expect dividends both immediately and in the years to come.
Inventive Incentive - James Bond themed trip to London
Companies can reward their staff with exciting and motivational themed trips to London, for example a James Bond themed one including an Aston Martin experience, a tour with a James Bond expert, and a dinner suit fitting at Moss Bros.
Day 1
Arrival Heathrow airport & Private transfer to Luxury Hotel
Welcome drinks & canapés will be served on arrival (in your suite or in the Lobby).
In the afternoon, drive to Moss Bros Shop (Men’s formal wear) to be fitted for a Dinner suit.
If ladies present, they will be escorted to shop for cocktail dress hire.
After the fitting, drive to the London Eye panoramic wheel. Return to hotel and time to change.
Meet in hotel Bar to meet the James Bond Look‐alike for photo‐shoot & aperitif before going out
to dinner.
Afterwards, drive to the Embankment Pier and board the Bateaux London for dinner cruise down
the Thames. Return to hotel for overnight.
Day 2
After breakfast, coach, driver & “James Bond Expert” will collect party from hotel.
This guided James Bond Tour is designed for true fans of 007, the most famous spy in the
world. On this tour you will have your own driver plus a knowledgeable James Bond expert. Get
behind the scenes information on how the films were made, see movie clips as we pass the
actual locations, discuss the books and your favorite moments from the films.
Along the way you will be given plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs and see the film
locations up close.
Lunch at Pinewood Studios where you will have the chance to lunch alongside production crew,
actors and others who work at the studios where the Bond films have been made since Dr No in
1962. Following lunch you will be able to see the location used as SPECTRE Island from the 1963
film From Russia With Love.
Return to hotel and time to change.
Transfer to your restaurant for dinner, then return to hotel for overnight
Day 3
After breakfast, Coach, Driver & Guide will collect party from hotel.
Transfer to Silverstone for the “Aston Martin Experience” This is followed by Lunch in a nice
country house nearby. Return to hotel. Put on your Dinner suit for a night to remember !
Transfer to your restaurant for dinner. After dinner you will be taken to a “Casino”
You will be given an amount of “chips” to gamble with. Transfer back to hotel and overnight.
Day 4
Morning at leisure. Or alternatively you can spend the morning at Westfield Shopping Centre for
some “retail therapy” – this is one of the largest and luxury London Mall.
In the early afternoon, coach, drivers & Guide will collect party from hotel and drive you to
Heathrow airport for overnight flight back home.
Sample choir itinerary
Sunday TWICKENHAM
– WINDSOR (18miles) - ETON (4miles)
09:30hrs Depart
Twickenham for Windsor
Blue Badge guide will be at the entrance to Windsor Castle waiting to greet you upon arrival
10:30hrs Arrive at Windsor
Castle, the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world, is one of the
official residences of Her Majesty The Queen. The Castle's dramatic site covers
an area of 26 acres and contains, as well as a royal palace, a magnificent
chapel and the homes and workplaces of a large number of people Upon arrival you will be offered
‘children’s activity packs’ and ‘audio guides’ which are included in the price
already paid
12:45hrs Transfer
to Eton College, noted as being ‘The most famous public school in the world’,
founded in 1440 by King Henry VI
13:15hrs Arrive
Eton for a guided tour of the College. Upon arrival you will be taken directly
to the Chapel to perform an impromptu concert lasting approximately 15mins
Following
this you will be divided into two groups and shown around the College to
include: the Museum, School Yard and Lower School
14:45/15:00hrs Transfer
by coach to Twickenham Stadium
15:30hrs End
your day with a guided tour of Twickenham Stadium, the largest dedicated rugby
union venue in the world. Upon arrival you will be split into two groups and
taken around the North stand, hospitality boxes/rooms, royal box and the Changing
rooms.
16:15hrs Once
your guided tour ends you will have time at leisure in the interactive Museum
on site
17:00hrs Transfer
by coach to your central meeting point in Twickenham. Once the choristers have
been collected by families, the coach will transfer the staff to the Riverside
Hotel in Richmond
Overnight
Twickenham area
Monday TWICKENHAM
– CANTERBURY (75miles each way)
08:15hrs Prompt
departure this morning to Canterbury
10:00hrs Arrive
at Canterbury Cathedral for your guided tour (there will be two guides assigned
to our group)
11:15hrs Tour
finishes and free time prior to concert
12:00hrs Recital
starts which takes place in the Quire, on the steps before the High Altar
(there may be a possibility for a quick warm-up in the Cloisters, subject to
availability on the day)
12:30hrs Concert
ends and free time for lunch (packed lunches provided)
13:30hrs Re-join
your coach for your transfer to Finchcocks Musical Museum, Kent
15:00hrs Arrive
Finchcocks Musical Museum, a fine Georgian manor surrounded by parkland. It now
houses a collection of over 100 historical keyboard instruments, of which over
forty are in full working order.
15:15hrs Demonstration
/ recital of instruments in the main hall
16:00hrs Opportunity
to look around the Museum independently with a chance to play some of the
instruments
16:45hrs Tea
will be served in the cellar restaurant –
Free
time to look around the garden
17:30hrs Opportunity
for a short recital to be held in the main hall
18:00hrs Depart
Finchcocks and transfer to Twickenham (approximate time of arrival 20:00hrs)
Once
the choristers have been collected by families, the coach will transfer the
staff to the Riverside Hotel in Richmond
Overnight
Twickenham area
Tuesday TWICKENHAM – LONDON (15miles
each way)
08:00hrs Transfer this morning to St Edmunds
Catholic Primary School, Nelson Road, Whitton, Twickenham, TW2 7BB
08:30hrs Arrive
St Edmund’s Primary School and their on-site Chapel where there will be the
opportunity for rehearsal prior to your performance
09:00hrs Concert
begins in the School’s Chapel performed for various local schools confirmed
At
the concert end refreshments and biscuits will be served
10:30hrs Depart St Edmunds School and
transfer to St Paul’s Cathedral
12:00hrs Arrive
at St Paul’s Cathedral where you will have time for rehearsal in the Choir
Practice Room prior to your performance
13:00/13:15hrs Performance at St Paul’s Cathedral
13:45hrs Depart
St Paul’s by coach driving along the River Thames and transfer to the
Australian Embassy, Strand
14:15hrs Arrive
at the Australian High Commission where a recital has been arranged
in
the Downer Room
The
two smaller rooms adjacent to the Downer Room have been reserved and can be
used as a relaxation room and a place to leave personal belongings.
16:00hrs Approximate
time the recital ends. Walk the short distance accompanied by Martin, via
Waterloo Bridge to the London Eye
17:00hrs Enjoy
a flight on the London Eye
17:45hrs Transfer
by coach to your central meeting point in Twickenham. Approximate arrival time
18:45hrs
Once
the choristers have been collected by families, the coach will transfer the
staff to the Riverside Hotel in Richmond
Overnight Twickenham area
Wednesday TWICKENHAM – LONDON (15miles each
way)
9th June 2010
08:00hrs Depart
by coach for Cranbourne Primary School, Lovel Road, Winkfield, Nr Windsor,
Berkshire, SL4 2EU
08:30/08:45hrs Arrive
at Cranbourne Primary School
09:10hrs Concert
recital performance to the Schools children
Coach to
continue to Hatchet Lane after dropping off choristers and wait here until it
is time to pick up again
Squash
and biscuits will be served after the performance
09:45hrs Depart
Cranbourne Primary School for central London and Buckingham Palace
11:15hrs Arrive
at Buckingham Palace in time for the ‘Changing of the Guard’ which takes place
at 11:30hrs lasting approximately thirty minutes. For the best view try and get
as near as
possible to the railings at the Victoria Monument
Following
this enjoy an afternoon of sightseeing accompanied by Martin to include the Houses of Parliament,
Big Ben, Piccadilly Circus, The Thames and Trafalgar Square finishing
at the South Bank and Southwark Cathedral
15:30hrs Upon
arrival at Southwark Cathedral there will be approximately twenty-minutes
available for a ‘warm up’ prior to your recital
16:00hrs Start
of recital at Southwark Cathedral
16:45hrs Recital
ends. Transfer to your central meeting point in Twickenham
18:00hrs Approximate
arrival time in Twickenham. Once the choristers have been collected by
families, the coach will transfer the staff to the Riverside Hotel in Richmond
Overnight
Twickenham area
Thursday
TWICKENHAM
– WINCHESTER (55miles) LONDON (71miles)
09:00hrs Depart
Twickenham and travel south this morning to Winchester
10:45/11:00hrs Arrive
Winchester Cathedral where a guided tour is arranged - the group will be split into two with one guide per group
12:00hrs Enjoy
lunch at leisure (packed lunch provided) on the lawn in the Inner Close, (the
Undercroft in the Education Centre has been reserved in case it is wet)
12:45hrs Opportunity for a brief
rehearsal prior to performance
13:00hrs Concert performance in the
Cathedral’s Nave
13:45hrs Prompt
departure following the recital and transfer to central London and The Tower of
London
15:45hrs Arrive
at The Tower of London for your visit. Highlights of your tour should include
the Crown Jewels, one of the unmissable highlights of a visit to the Tower of
London (takes approximately 20 minutes), the White Tower built by William the
Conqueror, which today houses displays from the Royal Armouries’ collection
(takes approximately 30 minutes), see the famous ravens next to the White
Tower and explore the story of how the Tower was attacked and defended in
our interactive Fortress displays (takes approximately 10 minutes)
17:15hrs Depart
Tower Bridge by coach for The British Museum
18:00hrs Arrive
at The British Museum where Martin will give a guided tour
19:00hrs Depart
The British Museum by coach and return to Twickenham (approximate arrival time
20:00hrs)
Once
the choristers have been collected by families, the coach will transfer the
staff to the Riverside Hotel in Richmond
Overnight
Twickenham area
Friday DEPART LONDON
Pilgramage to Iona
Day 1: Leave Home
Day 2: Glasgow
On arrival in Glasgow, pass through Customs and
Immigration and move to the arrivals hall where you will be
met by your driver who will take you to the coach. Once the
coach is loaded, you will be taken into Glasgow and to the
Cathedral where a visit has been arranged.
After your visit, re-join the coach and transfer to the Jurys Inn Hotel where accommodation has been arranged on a bed and breakfast basis for tonight.
Day 3: Glasgow – Iona
Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant.
After breakfast check out of the hotel and meet your coach
and driver for the start of your journey to Iona. The first leg
of this journey is by coach and will take you from Glasgow to Oban.
Once in Oban you will board the ferry and sail to the Isle of
Mull. Upon arrival you will be driven from one side of the island to the other to the port of Fionnphort.
At this point you will leave the coach which will be staying on Mull. You will then catch the foot passenger ferry to Iona. On arrival on Iona, make you way on foot to the St Columba Hotel where accommodation has been arranged for the next three nights on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.
Dinner tonight will be in the hotel restaurant.
After dinner you will have the opportunity to attend the evening service on the island.
Day 4: Iona
Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant.
Today you will be taken on a full day guided tour/pilgrimage around the island. The terrain can be challenging in places so walking boots are advisable.
Dinner tonight will be in the hotel restaurant.
After dinner you will have the opportunity to attend the
evening service on the island.
Day 5: Iona
Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant.
Today you will have a free day on the island for personal
reflection.
Dinner tonight will be in the hotel restaurant.
After dinner you will have the opportunity to attend the evening service on the island.
Iona - Edinburgh
Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant.
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and make your way
on foot to the port where you will travel on the ferry to Mull.
On arrival in Fionnphort, your coach and driver will meet
you to drive you across the island. Board the ferry and
travel back to the mainland landing at Oban.
You will now be driven through the Scottish countryside to
Edinburgh. Depending on the times of the ferries, we hope
to be able to offer a panoramic tour of the city on arrival.
You will then be taken to the Edinburgh City Hotel where
accommodation has been arranged for tonight on a bed and
breakfast basis.
Day 7: Edinburgh – Lindisfarne – Durham
Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant.
After an early breakfast, check out of the hotel and meet
your coach and driver for the journey to Lindisfarne. The
causeway is open today between 08.50 and 14.15 hours so
an early start from Edinburgh will give you time on the
island.
On arrival on Lindisfarne a visit has been arranged to the Priory.
After your visit and some free time, re-join your coach for a prompt departure to be across the causeway by 14.15 hours.
Back on the mainland the driver will continue your journey to Durham.
On arrival in Durham you will be taken to the Premier Inn
City Centre Hotel where accommodation has been arranged
for the next two nights on a bed and breakfast basis.
Day 8: Durham
Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant.
After breakfast, meet you guide for a tour of Durham. Visits
today will include Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle.
The group will have the opportunity to attend Evensong in
the Cathedral, currently this is scheduled at 17.15 hours but
may be subject to change.
Day 9: Durham – Whitby - York
Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant.
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and meet your coach
and driver for the journey to Whitby. On arrival in Whitby
you will be taken to the Abbey for a self-guided tour.
After your visit make your way to Whitby Station on foot –
this is approx. half a mile. Here you will board a steam train
which will take you to Pickering travelling on the North
Yorkshire Moors Railway. (Availability subject to Whitby
station expansion tbc)
The coach and driver will make their way to Pickering
station. Re-join the coach for the onward journey to York. Please note that there are no parking facilities directly
outside Pickering Railway station.
Arrive at the Royal York Hotel where accommodation has
been reserved for two nights on a bed and breakfast basis.
Day 10: York
Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant
After breakfast, meet your guide for a full day of sightseeing
in York. A visit is also arranged to York Minster.
You will also have the opportunity to attend Evensong at the
Minster which is currently scheduled for 17.15 hours.
Day 11: York – Coventry – Cambridge
Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant.
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and meet your coach
and driver for today’s journey. The first leg of the journey
will take you south down the central spine of England to
Coventry. A comfort stop will be made en-route. On arrival
in Coventry you will be taken to the Cathedral where a visit
has been arranged.
This is a long day of travelling on the coach so some free
time may be possible subject to driver’s hours and traffic on
the day.
After your visit, re-join the coach and transfer to
Cambridge. On arrival you will be taken to the Royal
Cambridge Hotel where accommodation has been arranged
for the next two nights on a bed and breakfast basis.
Day 12: Cambridge – Walsingham – Cambridge
Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant.
This morning a visit has been arranged to King’s College, Cambridge.
After your visit, meet your coach and driver for the transfer
to Walsingham. On arrival, make your way to the Shrine of
our Lady of Walsingham where a visit has been arranged. You will also have the opportunity to visit the Shrine Church,
the visitor centre and the Shrine shop.
Re-join the coach for your transfer back to Cambridge.
Day 13: Cambridge – Salisbury
Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant.
After breakfast, please check out of the hotel and meet your
coach and driver. Once the coach is loaded you will start
your journey to Salisbury. A comfort stop will be made en-route.
If time allows, it may be possible to take a small diversion
to allow you to be driven past Stonehenge.
On arrival in Salisbury you will be taken straight to the
Cathedral where a visit has been arranged.
After your visit, re-join the coach which will then take you to
the Best Western Red Lion Hotel where accommodation has
been arranged for tonight on a bed and breakfast basis.
Day 14: Salisbury – Glastonbury – London
Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant.
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and meet your coach and driver and start the journey to London.
A comfort stop will be made en-route. On arrival in London you will be taken to the Regency Hotel where
accommodation has been arranged for the next two nights
on a bed and breakfast basis.
The rest of the day is free for personal sightseeing.
Day 15: London
Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant.
After breakfast, meet your coach, driver and guide for a full
day panoramic tour of London. Visits today will include
Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral.
Day 16: London – Canterbury
Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant.
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and meet your coach
and driver. Today you will be travelling to Canterbury.
For those of you who would like to walk a part of the Pilgrim’s Way, arrangements have been made for the coach to drop you at xxx and collect you once again at xxx. However, for those of you who would prefer to stay on the coach you will be taken to xxx for a visit.
Steven – I don’t know if Jenny has a particular part in mind to walk – it would be useful if you could find this out so that I can arrange something for the coach/non-walkers and timings etc
On arrival in Canterbury you will be taken to the Falstaff Hotel where accommodation has been arranged for the next
two nights on a bed and breakfast basis.
Subject to the timings of the day and schedule of services the group will have the opportunity to attend Compline at the Cathedral.
Day 17: Canterbury
Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant.
This morning meet your guide for a half day sightseeing tour
of Canterbury.
This afternoon a visit to the Cathedral has been arranged.
The group will have the opportunity to attend either the
Choral Evensong or Compline at the Cathedral.
Day 18: Canterbury – home
Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant.
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and meet your coach
and driver for the transfer from Canterbury to London
Heathrow for your flight home.
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