TokyoTomo Travel Guide

Hankyu Travel is going to open in April a Shanghai branch office of its Chinese subsidiary company, Hankyu International China Co. Hankyu Travel obtained a business license on December 28 after the Chinese government relaxed control over business operation by foreign-affiliated travel agency on May 1, 2009. This is reportedly the first case of setting up a local branch office by a travel agency of foreign capital.

Hankyu Travel regards China as the major destination after Europe, and tours to Shanghai, among tours bound for China, are very successful with heavy demand; therefore, the agency has prepared for the opening of Shanghai branch for more business, eyeing the Expo starting in May. It aims to send 200,000 customers to Shanghai and other parts of China for the fiscal year 2010.

The new Shanghai Branch of Hankyu International China Co., being the outpost to cover the regions of South China and Southern Yangtze, will take charge of inbound travel from Japan and domestic travel for local inhabitants. Hankyu International China Co. in Beijing is staffed by two Japanese and about 20 local employees, and its Shanghai branch will be run nearly in the same size.

Source: Travel Vision

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