Northstar

FEATURE | COVER STORY 18 Jul-Aug 2017 MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS • MCMAG-ASIA.COM CHINA 19. China International Travel Service (CITS) PROFILE: CITS began as a foreign aairs reception unit under the State Council in 1954 before becoming a state-owned enterprise group oering integrated travel services in China. It is said to be the only tourism company among the country's Top 500 Enterprises, with real assets estimated at RMB10 billion (US$1.47 billion). In 2000, it successfully passed the ISO9001 Authentication of its quality service system. In 2004, it merged with China Duty-free Group, incorporating it into the CITS Group Corporation. Services include special interest and adventures tours; business forums or inspection tours; government tours; incentive and corporate tours; educational programmes; technology exchange programmes; VIP packages; and society exploration tours. YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1954 MARKET PRESENCE: 122 branches in China and 14 oshore subsidiaries in the U.S., Japan, Australia, France, Germany, Sweden, Demark, Hong Kong and Macau. EMAIL: info@cits.com.cn WEBSITE: www.cits.net 20. Uni Core Communication PROFILE: Uni Core Communication (UCC) is a board-listed subsidiary of Beijing based Utour Group Co., Ltd, a leisure and travel company principally engaged in outbound wholesale and retail travel services and MICE tours. Through its three subsidiaries, namely, UMICE (Beijing) International Conference Service L.L.C, Uevent (Beijing) Public Relations Consulting Co. Ltd, and Beijing UEXPO International Conference & Exhibition Service Co., Ltd, UCC is now a one- stop provider of integrated marketing services with incentive tour business as the foundation and event and PR planning as core. Having ne-tuned its business model, UCC now oers six core services: brand marketing support; PR planning and implementation; conference incentive tour operation; creative and visual application designing; exhibition project; and mobile application development. YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1992 (Utour Group Co); 2016 (UCC was listed). MARKET PRESENCE: Shanghai (HQ for Utour). EMAIL: info@ueventworld.com WEBSITE: Currently under revamp. "To cater to sophisticated customers, MICE suppliers have to move beyond providing basic booking services for flights, accommodations and banquets to highly customised and professional services. From the destination perspective, it is crucial to o…er top-notch infrastructure, exhibition facilities and entertainment to attract direct-selling companies, who are increasingly inclined to hold their large-scale events in Asia, thanks to the easing of visa requirements and better transportation links. Finally, the provision of Alipay and Unionpay methods, on top of technology such as Wi-Fi and live telecast capabilities, is crucial in attracting Chinese tourists, who are largely dependent on internet and mobile payments." JASON BAI, VICE PRESIDENT, UNI CORE COMMUNICATION. *Disclaimer: Please note that the destination management companies are not listed in any particular order of importance.

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