CLIENTS
Studio Harcourt Paris (under contract since 2018)
The legendary Harcourt Paris photographic studio, which has been attracting stars and celebrities for more than 80 years, has been working with Connect China Travel since October 2018 to develop its Chinese client base.
- Studio visits by dozens of Chinese destination agencies from Paris, Chinese guides and Parisian Chinese tourist industry professionals
- Fam trips for Chinese travel agencies in partnership with three Parisian palaces
- Events held at the studio for various Chinese media (CCTV, Xinhua and Chinese bloggers)
- Package deals produced in Chinese and sent to numerous travel agencies in China via WeChat
- High-end luxury travel agency prospecting in China
- Greeting Chinese celebrities
- Managing requests from agencies and end-user customers
- Client follow-up for portrait editing and shipments to China
- Managing official WeChat and Weibo accounts (Chinese social media networks)
- Setting up WeChat Pay and Alipay facilities
- In-depth discussions with a Chinese programme broadcast on Mango TV (190 million viewers)
- Submission of an application for France-China Tourism Year 2021
Results: A sharp increase in turnover from Chinese travellers during the first year of collaboration and increased notoriety among this population.
The Burgundy Dijon City Tourist Office (under contract since 2017)
Since 2017, the Dijon Tourist Office has been working hand in hand with CCT to develop its Chinese visitor flow, particularly small groups and Fully Independent Travellers (FITs), encouraging them to extend their length of stay. Dijon is one of the most popular French destinations for Chinese travellers with around 100,000 overnight stays per year.
- Launching a Dijon Tourist Office China Desk at the W Marriott Paris Hotel in the presence of Chinese travel agencies and media
- Participating in the China Workshop in Paris (2018-2019)
- Numerous fam trips for Chinese travel agencies
- Travel agencies sales calls in China (2018 and 2019)
- Hosting a 'Dijon Burgundy' dinner at a luxury hotel in Beijing with 20 representatives from the top travel agencies in China (November 2019)
- Creating and managing WeChat and Weibo accounts (Chinese social media networks)
- Sharing WeChat accounts individually with around 100 Chinese tourist industry professionals
- Producing packaged product sheets that are mailed to the entire network
- Managing relationships with all partners
- Managing requests from all channels
- Organising destination coverage by several bloggers visiting Dijon
- Illuminating iconic monuments in red as part of the China-Europe Year of Tourism (2018)
- Hosting a prestige dinner in Dijon with Chinese tourist industry professionals and media from Paris (October 2019)
- In-depth discussions with the Chinese TV shows 'Divas Hit the Road' and 'My Wife's Romantic Travel'
- Training for destination travel agencies in Paris (February 2020)
- Appointing a 'Destination Ambassador' for the Chinese market
- WeChat Pay, Alipay and Ctrip events in Dijon
- Marketing communications on the major Chinese OTAs
- Producing a China market brochure
- Offering guidance for local tourist providers
- Review and analysis of the Chinese tourist market
Lapland Ice Driving (2019)
Lapland Ice Driving (LID), a world leader in extreme ice driving experiences, has chosen to work with CCT to develop its business in the Chinese market. Located on a lake in Swedish Lapland, LID has 45km of tracks specifically designed to replicate Formula 1 circuits, including Silverstone, Nürburgring, Paul Ricard, Yas Marina and Sepang, on a 1/1 scale. Experience thrilling speeds of up to 200 km/h in the latest Lamborghini, Ferrari and Porsche models that have been especially prepared for the ice. This venue receives 450 customers and 40 private jets each winter.
- Creating and managing the official WeChat Lapland Ice Driving account, which is used as a B2B tool
- Designing two Northern Europe travel packages that include two days of ice driving in partnership with two Chinese travel agencies specialising in Scandinavia
- Meeting in China with automobile clubs, owners’ clubs, drivers, instructors, high-end luxury travel agencies and experts from the automotive industry
- Posting marketing campaigns on Carbon, the key automotive industry application
- Posting marketing campaigns to WeChat groups dedicated to areas such as ice driving and the automotive industry
- Managing relationships and requests
Results: Pending (sales postponed for winter 2022 due to coronavirus)
The Burgundy Beaune Tourist Office (under contract since 2018)
Since 2018, the Beaune Tourist Office has been working closely with CCT to promote the destination in China and develop its volume of Chinese travellers, especially small groups and FITs. Beaune, thanks to its world famous vineyards, hospices and strategic location, is rapidly becoming a popular destination amongst Chinese tourists who represent about 54.000 overnight stays in 2019.
- Numerous fam trips of Chinese travel agencies in Beaune
- Travel agency sales calls in China (2019 and 2020)
- Creating and managing WeChat and Weibo accounts (Chinese social media networks)
- Sharing WeChat accounts individually with around 100 Chinese tourist industry professionals
- Producing packaged product sheets that are sent to the entire network
- Managing relationships with all partners
- Managing requests from all channels
- Organising destination coverage by several bloggers visiting Beaune
- Appointing a 'Destination Ambassador travel agency' for the Chinese market
- Presentation on the Chinese tourism in France and Burgundy + WeChat Pay/Alipay
- Marketing communications on the major Chinese OTAs
- Producing China market paper and e-brochures
- Offering guidance for local tourist providers
- Presentation of various opportunities
- Review and analysis of the Chinese tourist market
France Luxury Fam Trip 2018
A luxury fam trip initiated and organised by CCT (22-29 October 2018).
The aim: To enable four top luxury travel agencies in China and one of the most influential travel bloggers to discover the best of luxury French travel (including Deauville, Paris, Champagne and Burgundy). Funded by several private French partners and institutions.
- Day 1 Deauville: city tour, sulky tour on the beach, Deauville International Horse center visit, an evening at the Mayor's home, overnight stay at the Normandy Barrière Hotel
- Day 2 Paris: lunch at Fouquet’s, "How to lay a table French style" class by Christofle, antique watches master class with Romain Réa, one of France's top specialists, dinner at the Plaza Athénée hotel, overnight stay at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel
- Day 3 Paris: visit of the atelier of the luxury trunk maker Pinel & Pinel, photo shoot session at Harcourt Studio Paris
- Days 4-5 Champagne region: visits of Reims, Pommery, Epernay, Moët et Chandon
- Days 6-7-8 Burgundy: Dijon city tour, Belmont luxury barge visit, wine tasting at Château de Meursault, dinner and stay hôtel La Cloche, truffle hunting with a dog, flight with the Breitling Jet Team
Results: most of the activities and destinations have been addded to these luxury travel agencies’ portfolios and promoted to their clients.
Other long-term contracts
France Montgolfières
(French leader in balloon flight with 11 launch sites)
Under contract since 2019
Pinel & Pinel (Parisian luxury trunk producer)
Under contract since 2016
