Nigeria-based travel agency, 1860 Travels, has said China’s group visa deal will boost business and tourism by simplifying in-bound and out-bound travel between Nigeria and China.
The firm’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Francis Daodu, said the scheme, which began on August 1, had enabled Nigerian businessmen, from five persons or more, to apply for and obtain a group visa through a clear and faster process.
He said the large number of Nigerian firms, government agencies, business people and tourists interested in the scheme suggests its impact on China-Nigeria trade and tourism would be huge.
Daodu, who spoke to reporters at the firm’s Lagos office, said 1860 Travels was promoting the group visa scheme through its Tours2china package, which offers three flexible, convenient ways to tour several Chinese cities for business and pleasure.
The Chinese government approved the group visa programme last month, after nearly one year of negotiation, and 1860 Travels was the only agency through which Nigerian travellers could process the group visa in Nigeria.
The firm is the Nigerian partner of Bravo International Tour Service of China, through which the Chinese government approved the… scheme.
Daodu said: “We are …experiencing both out-bound and in-bound travel (through the Tours2china brand). So, it is not just going to be Nigerians going to China. This brand has created a platform for Chinese to visit Africa and Nigeria.
“This is the best of cultural exchange between China and Nigeria. During the Yuletide … we will be expecting quite a lot of Chinese to visit Nigeria.”
The CEO, however, noted that a refundable fee will be charged in order to prevent abscondment.
He advised interested travellers to get more details on www.tours2china.com
“We don’t want this platform to abruptly come to an end in the name of abscondment.
“It is expected that this will be a legitimate means for those who wants to travel to China for leisure or personal business.
“This brand has put together a package for those who want to travel to China for personal reasons. For any travel tourist anywhere in the world, your intention is to go see, explore and exploit. And then, rake in all the benefits you can rake while still in that country” The CEO said.
Speaking on the security of the travellers, Dauda assured that “It is pretty safe and pretty secure, coupled with the knowledge of the low crime rate in China compared with other climes.
“We have an already waiting team as soon as you arrive at any airport in China and you are ushered to a waiting transportation that will take you to your already booked hotel.”
by Robert Egbe
Source: thenationonlineng.net
