Running over 12-16 week, the specialist’s China Week saw hundreds of agents get behind the push after the country emerged earlier this year from a three-year Covid-induced hiatus

Agents from all over the country took part in the festivities, including Karen Price and Nichola Hopkins from Holiday Warehouse; Alice Manville from Meon Valley Travel; Fred Olsen Travel; Johanna Bullas from Althams Travel; and Ryan Young and Kerry Stewart from Ocean World Travel. 

“It’s clear that with more than three years’ pent up demand for China holidays, plus all the new interest, China is back in a very big way,” said Wendy Wu Tours chief executive Glen Mintrim. 

The operator’s founder Wendy Wu said she was “blown away” by the industry’s response.

“Our social media and reservations teams have never been so busy fielding calls and enquiries, so much so that in just one day we took more than two hundred calls in the space of four hours, putting an incredible strain on our telephone systems,” said Wu

The comments come after Wendy Wu urged agents late last month to work more closely with the operator to maximise sales opportunities after Head of trade sales Gary King told TTG the trade was losing out on business to direct customers.

King added the operator was planning several fam trips later this year, which will take agents to lesser-known parts of the country.

To celebrate the country’s reopening, Wendy Wu Tours is offering early bird savings of up to £500 per person on its flagship tours, including its 16-day Wonders of China or the nine-day In Pursuit of Pandas, departing throughout 2024. Eligible bookings need to be made by 17 July to qualify.