Cirque du Soleil Calls Curtains in Macau

Another of one Canada's superstars has been struggling to make it big in China. First Blackberry struggles with growth in China and now Cirque du Soleil has called it quits only 3 and a half years into its 10 year contract. Cirque has pulled its show 'Zaia' out of Macau due to disappointing ticket sales.

The key reason for its failure is Cirque did not quite understand their market. Visitors to Macau, who are mainly from China, focus on gambling and stay for an average of 1.5 nights. The sole purpose of their trip is to gamble. Quite the contrast from the mature Vegas market where people stay for 3.5 days and gamble, shop, eat, catch a fight and watch the Vegas shows. Despite the short stays, the gambling revenue in Macau surpasses Las Vegas by leaps and bounds.

Another reason why I think Cirque did not do well is that there are so many similar type large production shows in Mainland China. Lots of high caliber shows in Shanghai, Hangzhou, Guilin, Xian and Beijing are offered for a fraction of the price. Many of these shows are also featured in our popular China tours.

That being said, is Macau still a destination worth visiting? The answer is most definitely! Macau, which was colonized by the Portuguese and recently handed back to the Chinese, is accented with Portuguese architecture, food and culture. Something quite unique for the nation of China.

So if you are bound for Hong Kong, I suggest a day trip to Macau by ferry. Participants will leave their Hong Kong hotel in the morning, enjoy a city tour of Macau, take pleasure in a seafood lunch and return to Hong Kong just in time for dinner. Pricing starts from only $121 per person.

Happy Thursday,

Otis Ashby
Sales & Operations

Happy Family Day!

What better way to celebrate with the family than with a vacation!

We have quite a few specials this year but my two family favourites are:
12 Day Super China
• 2 for 1 from $2999 air & land
The perfect introduction for travelers looking for a taste of China

13 Day Super Yangtze
• 2 for 1 from $3999 air & land
Featuring a 5 day cruise on the biggest and newest 5-star ship on the Yangtze, the MS Yangtze 2 with outside cabins

The price indeed is a bargain! These tours include international and domestic flights, 4-star hotel accommodation, sightseeing, cultural shows and most meals. Space is limited so pass this on to your friends.

Best regards,

Otis Ashby
Sales & Operations

Hello Busy Season!

One of my favourite seasons is spring. As an avid gardener, I already see the daffodils pushing through the thawed soil and this means tulips are shortly behind! I get to start planning this years' flower bed and deciding what is going in the Ashby veggie pad in the backyard. I also enjoy spring because it is the start of Chinapac's busy season!

After sowing the seeds of marketing and training during winter's dark months, the fruits of our labour are almost ripe to be picked. Over the next few months we will be sending hundreds of Canadian and American tourists to China and South East Asia. For many of our clients, this will be their first time visiting Asia and I am honoured that their travel agent decided to book with Chinapac.

Maybe the agent picked Chinapac because we have been in business for 27 years! Maybe they picked us because they love our service in Canada and overseas. Maybe they like the fact that we are a Canadian owned company and understand the needs of our fellow citizens. Or perhaps it was one of our Amazing China specials that got their attention.

Whatever the reason, thank you for supporting us. We still have space on a lot of our spring South East Asia tours because we offer more tours to South East Asia than any other Canadian tour operator. So if you are looking to provide something a little different to your client, give us a call!

Best regards,

Otis Ashby
Sales & Operations

Two amazing China cultural & shopping tours from $299

Now that business is starting to resume back to normal in China, I thought I would introduce our new amazing tours fusing sightseeing and shopping into two great value tours for your buck. At just $299, participants can enjoy an exciting 8 day tour including accommodations, meals, transportation, tour and guide.

These new China tours are designed to accommodate plenty of shopping opportunities alongside sightseeing and exciting cultural activities around the country at a very affordable price.

The shopping and cultural tours are offered in two exciting programs: 8 Day East China covers Shanghai and nearby cities Suzhou, Wuxi, Nanjing and Hangzhou. It highlights the serene lakes and scenic views of these eastern cities while visiting local shops including silk, jade, pearl, porcelain and Shanghai medicine store. Only $299 per person land package.

9 Day Beijing visits the famous Great Wall, Forbidden City and the ancient towns of Chengde and Tianjin with shopping stops at the cloisonné factory, jade, silk, pearl and tea shops. It also includes a tour of the Hutong, taking guests through the narrow alleys of old Beijing on traditional Chinese pedicab. Only $349 per person land package.

The tours are also replete with tasty, special dinners at no extra cost including delicious local cuisines, Beijing duck dinner, Chengde hot pot, dumpling dinner, and more.

Departures are April 6, May 7, July 7, September 1, October 27 and November 24, 2012. Travelers can easily extend their stay with one of Chinapac’s pre/post tours. International air fares and visa services are also offered.

Warm regards,

Otis Ashby
Sales & Operations