Many of you have responded to my numerous postings in prepartion for my
family trip. This has been a great resource and I thank you very much.
Having confirmed my international air travel arrangements into Beijing and
out of Hong Kong, we are focusing locally on hotels, restaurants, and
transportation. Based upon what I have read here and through other sources,
I'm persuaded that it is significantly less expensive to make these
arrangements from within China. Through business contacts (a friend of a
friend...) I have been referred, supposedly up-the-ladder, to Jiangsu Haida
Travel & Tours International. They tell me that they are "under direct
jurisdiction of Jiangsu Overseas Tourist Co., one of the largest in China".
They also say, many times, that they are "professional" and "will make a
perfect arrangement".
Anyone have any knowledge of this organization? Is this a reasonable way to
go? Can I expect them to obtain substantially better rates than I can
through elong, asiarooms, etc?
And....admiting my ignorance, how much control does the government exert on
the internal travel industry these days? The physical modernization of the
cities gives the impression of free market activity. Am I mistaken?
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