Travel Agent Academy recently launched its first course on China focusing on Chengdu, one of the leading tourist cities and regions in the country. Chengdu offers a destination that uniquely combines genuine preservation of old traditions with a distinct vitality and modern spirit. It is a region that takes pride in preserving its more than 5,000 years of history, while at the same time is the number one center of business trade in western China.
The more adventurous among your clients are always looking for the next new experience. They will thank you for recommending Chengdu, an extraordinary destination that promises to provide some of the most unforgettable vacations possible. Those searching for the best value for their vacation dollars will find Chengdu hard to beat. Indeed, according to a recent United States Tour Operators Association poll of its members, who send 11 million people a year on vacation packages and tours, China overwhelmingly rated number one as the "Best Value" vacation destination.
In four short chapters, the Chengdu education program gives you an overview of many of the incomparable experiences found in this unique destination that are sure to generate interest from your clients and result in lucrative bookings for you. As a new Chengdu Specialist you also get access to Bonus Booking Rewards. After you book 50 travelers to China as a Chengdu Specialist, you receive $10 per person for a total of $500. When you book 51 to 199 travelers, you get $15 per person for a total of $2,220. When you book 200-499 people, you get $20 per person for a total of $5,980. When you book 500 people or more, you get $30 per person for a total of $15,000.
For the travel period November 2010 through April 2011, Chengdu Specialist agents will receive an extra $5 per person. After booking 50 travelers, Chengdu specialists escorting groups to China receive all meals, transportation and insurance free of charge while traveling in China. Airline tickets, hotel accommodations and sightseeing tickets are received at discounted rates. After booking 10 groups to China, the travel agent tour guide will travel free of all charges (a group is defined as 10 person or more). Contact the Chengdu Tourism Association for more information on bonus booking incentives by calling 212-663-2275 or visiting loisql@gmail.com.
Chengdu is the home of the Giant Panda, one of China's national treasures, and visitors have the opportunity to get close to these spectacular, endangered animals with an interactive learning experience at the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding and Research Base. Chengdu also is home to a treasure trove of fascinating ancient remains, many of which are found in surroundings of spectacular natural beauty. For example, the region is considered to be the birthplace of Taoism, and visitors to Chengdu can travel to Mount Qingcheng, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site that boasts fascinating landscapes and the most concentrated number of Taoist temples in China.
Also not to be missed is the Giant Buddha of Leshan, another UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site, the tallest stone Buddha statue in the world. Carved out of a cliff face, the Giant Buddha overlooks the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers and faces sacred Mount Emei, one of Buddhism holiest sites.
Also high on the list of the fascinating sites unique to Chengdu is the Jinsha Relic Site, often regarded as the first major archaeological discovery of the 21st century. Uncovered in 2001, the Jinsha Relic Site is the location of the second key ancient city in the historic Shu state. The Jinsha Relic Site museum is built over the original site, where your clients will have the opportunity to view details of the excavations and their fantastic discoveries, which include more than 5,000 spectacular relics dating from 1200 to 650 B.C. in gold, bronze, ivory, stone and wood, as well as learn about the history of the site.
Your clients also can visit an irrigation system with the longest history in the world. Dating from 256 B.C., the Dujiangyan Irrigation System is a World Natural Heritage Site and a World Cultural Heritage Site. They also can tour Chengdu's ancient towns, such as Pingle, Xilai, Anren, Huanglongxi and Luodai, which effectively allows them to travel through 5,000 years of history.
Your customers also will enjoy such experiences in Chengdu as shopping for everything from panda souvenirs to lacquer ware, from Swellfun liquor to bamboo woven china, from Zhuyeqing tea to Shu embroidery and silk carpets. They will enjoy time at the city's many cafes and restaurants. Chengdu is the birthplace of tea culture and China's capital of fine cuisine. Most of your clients will want to reserve time to see China's vibrant past come alive through cultural performances found at a number of top venues in the city.
The modern lifestyle of Chengdu can be experienced in its many bars and nightclubs, featuring musical entertainment from rock and roll to karaoke until the early morning hours. For the best blend of the old and the new, your clients will want to head to Wide Alley and Narrow Alley. This recently restored district in the downtown area of Chengdu provides an urban oasis of traditional architecture enriched by a diversity of both Chinese and Western cultural elements. A variety of bars, restaurants, hotels, clubs, tea houses, shops and centers for the performing arts have been opened in traditional courtyards located throughout the area.
Along with learning more about these and many other attractions through the Travel Agent Academy course, you will gain assistance in marketing Chengdu according to your clients' special interests. You also will find sample itineraries attractive for these markets, along with tour operator information, and get practical information covering transportation, geography, government requirements and much more.
To be among the first to be informed about Chengdu, please visit www.ChengduSpecialist.com or www.TravelAgentAcademy.com.
Jane Jamison is editorial director-custom publishing for Performance Media Group, LLC.
Topics From This Article to Explore
