China Travel Tips

Reflections on Travel in China

Friday, February 22, 2013

2 For 1 China Tours a Bargain?

This is my 25th year of travelling to China with over 50 trips and 20+ years doing Tours To China.  I have seen the very good and the very poor tours.  I have also taught a class on Travel in China here in Seattle at the University of Washington and some of the Community Colleges as a one day seminar.  A bargain is only a bargain if you are happy with the results and the value you received.  One of the often over used phrases is

"2 For The Price of 1"  for just about everything these days including the tour business.  I receive many advertising flyers and one particular one advertised a 13 Day tour including Shanghai, Xian, Beijing and a Yangtze River Cruise.  Cost was based on 10 or more people in a group  (sometimes as many as 40 or 50)  The advertised cost was $6,899 per person and Did NOT Include the International airfare.   If you booked early you would get 2 tours for the price of 1 or  $3,449 per person dbl. occ. for a group tour.  I took their tour itinerary and sent it to my partner in China without telling him the cost and asked him to quote it to me using the same level of hotels, boat and a few more sights.   I could do a 15 Days similar tour with a 4 day Yangtze River cruise on a 5 Star Line, plus one additional city to visit for $2.497 pp dlb. occ. for 10+ people not including the international air.   I can do the same tour as a Private tour for from 2 to 4 people for $3,297 pp dbl. occ.   Smoke and Mirrors can fool some of the people some of the time but not all of the people all of the time.   Do your research and compare what you get for what you pay.  Deluxe hotels can mean just about anything.  It takes a  Knowledgeable, Professional tour planner to really give you what you want for what  you are able or want to pay.   China's economy is flourishing these days as you will see.  For more information contact us at    Interlak@eskimo.com   web site is  www.interlakechinatours.com    in Seattle doing Quality Tours to China since 1992.  Ask for our references of some past customers who do not mind being contacted either about their tours or my services.  Click on the photo for a full screen view!

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