Since 2006, he combines consultation on China's tourism sector with several travel and hospitality ventures in China and the flagship forum on China's Travel Industry,"China the Future of Trave" held annually at the World Travel Market in London since 2006. Roy keeps ablog on developments in China's travel and tourism sector which is the most comprehensive resource on the subject, since January 2006. In August 2008 he updated the China Outbound Travel Handbook and made it available free of charge through the ChinaContact Tourism Network (free registration).
He is also a Director of China Business Services and European Director of the China Venture Capital and Private Equity Forum London held annually since 2007. He is a founding member of the China Advisers Network (C.A.N), an association of leading China specialists and advisers from various fields in the UK.
Examples of his projects and assignments:
Planning and directing a national pavillion at the China International Travel Market; In-house consulting and problem solving for an online travel agent focusing on China; strategic planning and China entry business plan development for an international sports hospitality specialist; training and consulting to national and city tourism promotion boards; Market research and reporting on segments within China's tourism sector; building links between Chinese and Western tourism companies; launching new destinations and services in the Chinese market; training to meet the China Outbound Quality Label program.
Background:
Returning to Europe after a long period of travel industry work in China, Roy founded ChinaContact in 2005 to assist tourism companies, travel providers and tourism promotion bodies eager to discover the tremendous potential of China as both market and destination. Since 2002 until early 2005, Roy was engaged in senior level business development and travel product distribution for the world's leading independent provider of products and services to the travel trade, Gullivers Travel Associates (now part of Travelport).
He lived in China's two commercial power houses,Beijing and Shanghai and travelled extensively to China's major cities, forging good personal relationships with key private sector and government contacts. Building on his experience of online travel, sales and marketing and China know-how, he was tasked with launching a brand new merchant model travel site to the Chinese market.
Roy served as China Director of E-commerce for gta, overseeing all aspects of the company's electronic product distribution in China. In September 2004, Roy planned and executed a high level three day conference on modern tourism trends titled 'The Future of Travel is Here', co-hosted by Beijing Municipal Tourism Board. It was attended by provincial and city tourism board chair persons from China, senior level representatives from UNESCO, WTTC, Visa, AIG and other leading international companies totalling over 100 participants.
As a keen supporter of sustainable development and environmental protection he held several volunteer positions, including Vice President of communications at PACE (Professional Association for China's Environment) and council member of Tourism Concern. Roy cooperates with UNESCO, IUCN and other bodies to promote a sustainable and ethical tourism industry in China.
Prior to his work in China Roy was based in gta's headquarters in London as sales manager, independent travel responsible for several international markets including India, Pakistan, Turkey, Greece, Israel, UK and Ireland.
Roy holds a bachelor's degree in Chinese and Economics from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. In 1995-1996, Roy served as a national tourism office representative in Taipei, Taiwan while learning Mandarin Chinese at the same time.
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