Pummeled in LAS

So last week I had the fortunate opportunity to go to Las Vegas with 10 of my good guy friends. Our trip was nothing like the Hang Over but it was an adventure. As I mentioned last week, the last time I was there was 14 years ago. So hotels such as Aladdin and Sahara had been imploded and replaced by much bigger hotels which are coined with the term resorts.

The Good
• Weather was perfect. Not too hot or cold so walking the strip was a breeze
• Aria Hotel. This was home for 3 nights. It was one of the few hotels that actually let in natural light in the main lobby
• The food. There was no shortage of food. My only regret was I didn’t have time for the $45 buffet pass which allows you to eat at select premium buffets as often as you want within a 24 hour window.

The Bad
• This is why most people go to Vegas so use your imagination...

The Ugly
• We flew discount carrier Allegiant out of Bellingham. This is the second time I have flown with them. Their boarding process is the most confusing one out there. With Allegiant, it is a free for all to get a good seat on the flight unless you have pre purchased a seat. The in-flight service is adequate; however, the seats do not recline nor is anything free on board, including water.
• Customs. The border line up returning to Canada was brutal. It took us about 70 minutes to cross and after a 3 night bender in Vegas the conversation in the car was at a minimum.

All in all I am glad I went but I do not think I need to return to Vegas for another 14 years.

Otis Ashby
Sales & Operations

Waaaaariors, come out to plaaaay

Funcouver and the neighboring cities have added another piece of flavour to our west coast mountain town. The Terracotta Warriors have been chosen for B.C. Lions charity statue theme.

Past campaigns have featured orcas (2003), bears (2006) and eagles (2009) brightly painted and displayed around the province. This year, there will be 35 warriors painted in conservative tones painted by a local artist. Like the 6 foot soldier in our office, I am sure they were shipped from China.

The original story about the Terra Cotta Warriors dates back when local farmers discovered the Terra Cotta Warriors in 1974 while digging a well. Little did they know that their discovery would turn out to be one of the most astounding archaeological finds of the 20th century. The site is even widely acclaimed as the 8th Wonder of the World and includes 4 pits of various features, the first one being the largest and the last one being empty. The underground battle formation in Pit 1 is comprised of 6,000 life-size clay warriors and horses; the soldiers stand in military formation in infantry battle order facing east with some armour, but no helmets. Made of local clay, no two faces are alike, each weighs over 300 kilograms and stands about 1.86 metres tall.

BTW if you haven’t entered our contest yet, make sure to visit us on Facebook and win of three vacation packages before the end of March.

Find Chinapac on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ChinapacInternational

Regards,

Otis Ashby
Sales & Operations

Facebook March Madness Contest

As the year enters its third month, we decided what better way to start off the first stretch of the busy season than by giving away three 5-star South East Asia tours to three lucky Facebook followers.

I am very excited to be doing another Facebook contest because the support we continue to receive from our customers has been tremendous and we would like to show our appreciation by the announcement of another Chinapac Facebook giveaway.

Chinapac March Madness, as it is rightfully called, gives away not one, but three exciting China tour and South East Asia tour prizes to three lucky Facebook followers.

To enter, simply ‘like’ Chinapac’s Facebook page and you will earn the opportunity for an entry for a chance to win one of the popular South East Asia Stopover programs offered by Chinapac:

• Win 4 Day Bangkok tour and experience the fascinating, vibrant world of this Thai capital. With accommodation at the 5-star Majestic Grande Hotel, see gleaming skyscrapers alongside dazzling, historic temples.


• Win 4 Day Shanghai tour and explore China’s thriving metropolis with accommodation at the 5-star Jin Jiang Hotel. Enjoy Shanghai’s bright lights in this China tour stopover.


• Or, win 4 Day Beijing tour and discover the history of China in this captivating capital. Stay at the 5-star New Otani Changfu Gong Hotel and visit the city landmarks in this China tour.

All prizes include 5-star hotel accommodation, daily breakfast, round trip transfers and an exciting city tour.

People who had previously ‘liked’ Chinapac may double their entry by sharing Chinapac’s Facebook page on their status. No purchase is necessary to enter.

This will be a fun promotion and we’re really, really excited. I wish everyone good luck.

Find Chinapac on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ChinapacInternational

Regards,

Otis Ashby
Sales & Operations

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