Happy New Year!

Like many of you, 2011 was a fun, sometimes challenging but exciting year for us.

The Fun
In 2011 we hosted many FAMS to our preferred agents. This year we invited our agents to Thailand, Bali, China & the Yangtze River and Japan. Our participants and staff had a great time and have requested new destinations. For 2012 we will be offering FAM tours to most of the above destinations plus we have just added a 16 Day Vietnam and Cambodia FAM tour in November! This tour will be escorted by our president Jenny Soares so this trip should be a blast. Full details will be released next week.

The Challenging
Some of our favourite destinations had faced issues over the past year. Egypt had become politically unstable. Japan was rocked by an earthquake. Thailand had experienced severe flooding in Bangkok and surrounding areas. Both Thailand and Japan seem to be en route to making a fast recovery and Egypt is in the midst of their elections so I hope things will settle down soon.

As with many companies in the travel industry, hiring experienced staff has been challenge. If you know of someone looking for a new opportunity tell them to contact me or visit or career page for more information.
http://www.chinapac.ca/AboutUs/Careers/TQID1358/LG-EN/Content.aspx

The Exciting
This year we have sent travellers to more countries outside Asia than in past years. In addition to our existing South East Asia products, we have sent special interest groups to France, Spain, Hawaii, Las Vegas and Mexican Cruise.

Within Asia we made travel arrangements for a popular culinary TV show, organized a unique Pyramid expedition in Xian, escorted a group of doctors on a Traditional Chinese Medicine tour in China. We also had the opportunity to show 41 travel college students the beauty of China. With the success of the above programs we have now expanded our MICE products and will be offering arrangements for over 30 travel shows in Asia for 2012.

Last but not least our new website www.chinapac.ca! I am quite pleased with this new website and the content that is offered. Chinapac now has more Asia tours online than any other Canadian tour operator.

Wishing everyone a fun and prosperous 2012!

Otis Ashby
Sales & Operations