From staff reports
The Clarion Area Chamber of Business and Industry is offering a unique opportunity to experience the Chinese culture, history and business.
Through a partnership with Citslinc, International, the chamber is offering a cost effective trip to China on Oct. 19 through Oct. 27, 2020.
There is also an opportunity to visit with a local Chinese business. The meeting is optional and requires filling out an inquiry form indicating what type of business or industry you are interested in learning more about.
“We’re excited to organize a Clarion Chamber China Tour,” said Tracy Becker, executive director for the Clarion Area Chamber of Business and Industry. “This is an excellent opportunity to be introduced to China. It’s extremely affordable and includes visits to major cities, various economic zones and major historical sites. I had the opportunity to actually take this trip in April of this year as an inspection trip so that I would be able to share this experience.”
The trip includes airfare from New York, hotel accommodations at four and five star hotels, three full meals a day, and professional drivers and tour operators.
The cost is $2,299 per person. A non-refundable registration fee of $300 per person is required and is due at the time of registration. This will be deducted from your total tour fare, the balance of which will be due by July 15, 2020.
Some of the highlights of this trip include visiting the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Ming Tombs, and The Bund.
Comments from the first trip
In April a group of Chamber of Commerce officers and directors had an opportunity to travel to China. What they found in that ancient land was change.
The group included three executive directors from this area. Susan Williams, executive director of the Venango AreaChamber of Commerce and Christa Lundy, executive director of the Meadville-Western Crawford Chamber of Commerce.
“We left Clarion on March 31 and drove to New York City. We left JFK on a Monday. It was a 13 hour flight on Air China,” said Becker. “We got into Beijing at six in the evening and we didn’t get through customs until about 9 p.m. All of the restaurants were closed so ended up finding ourselves at McDonalds at the airport.
“We chucked at that because we thought we had just landed in China and we are having burgers. It wasn’t what I expected my first meal to be in China.
Williams added, “We had wonderful guides who told us the story of China. They said there is a lot of capitalism. The guides said people are encouraged to make money. It was eye opening for me.”
“The restaurants had Chinese food but also a western menu. So if you wanted noodles for breakfast you could do that. If you wanted a fried egg you could get that too,” said Becker. “We got to try Chinese food I have never tried before.”
The chamber is also hosting an informational meeting from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12, at the Clarion Chamber office located at 650 Main St. in Clarion.
Leo Liu, owner of Citslinc, will be answering questions regarding the trip.
To R.S.V.P. for the informational meeting or for questions, contact Tracy at the Clarion Area Chamber of Business and Industry at (814) 226-9161 or tracy@clarionpa.com.