A few things we have heard this week from our colleagues in China. #chinatravelwhispers

1.     China Eastern Airlines announced the restart of direct services to the UK with twice weekly services from Shanghai Pudong to London Heathrow on a Monday and a Thursday from this month. The prices are not too bad – around £850-900 return.

2.     We have read media reports that travel agencies in China are struggling to build their teams back up to cope with demand. This is slightly at odds with what we are hearing from our contacts but, to be fair, we mainly speak to people operating in the UK and European markets, where the recovery will be more gradual.

3.     Training is very important for these new staff, but also to re-educate the returning staff of three years ago, who have not had the chance to visit the UK and Europe, and whose product knowledge is rusty. Guanxi is delivering online training for agents throughout China for a number of our clients this Spring to get the agents ready for the summer. If you are interested in online travel agent training about your attraction or destination, do get in touch.

4.     VisitBritain‘s China Roadshow kicks off next week promoting the UK to the travel trade in Shanghai and Guangzhou. Beijing will follow on 14th March. We will be there, and will update you on what we hear from the agents and airlines here, next Friday.

5.     Student travel and business travel are bouncing back first, as predicted. Leisure will follow. Be patient, it’s coming…