Indulge in Shanghai

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

26 September 2010, Day 5: Site Inspections!

We started off our Sunday slightly different by gathering an hour later than the usual 8.30AM. According to our itinerary, it is the day of site inspections to places such as the local tour & travel agency known as Shanghai Ba-Shi International Travel Service & to Shanghai International Conference Centre too. We had to be split up into 2 groups when visiting the local travel agency as the operation office would not be able to accommodate all of us at one go. Thus, explains why we set off an hour later.

Upon reaching the travel agency, weather was being unpredictable yet again with sudden showers getting all of us the chill. We quickly entered the building and found ourselves touring the operation office guided by the head management. It was like a typical office with every department working in their separate offices. As we settled down in the meeting room where the first batch was already there, the head manager of the agency gave us an overview of the company. Shanghai Ba-Shi International Travel Service specializes in inbound and outbound domestic travel & has apparently established itself over a short period of time. That was definitely no easy feat to accomplish & for that their hard work needs to be applauded. Truly commendable albeit the crisis they faced during the economic downturn & competition from online travel agencies as well. Even though the meeting was a short one, it was no less fruitful.

After which, we made our way to the Shanghai International Conference Centre. Similar to the visit to travel agency, we were being split into 2 groups again. Over at the conference centre, it was sure a busy sight to see. This is so because they were in the midst of setting up the exhibition space for an annual event. There was plenty of noise pollution with all that drilling going on. Thus, it was a challenge for all of us to listen clearly to what was being explained by the event In-charge. However, we did catch up on certain points regarding the registration process. There was nothing in the process that was being done manually. Every stage of the registration has the usage of technology which resulted in higher efficiency & a more systematic process, proven workable by past events as well. Unfortunately, we could not explore the whole conference centre as time did not permit.

Off we go for lunch somewhere near Chenghuangmiao district. We had to source for our own lunch this time round. Shopping was done as well in the given free & easy period. In late afternoon, we set off to Suzhou reaching there just in time for dinner at a scheduled restaurant. The food was great especially the rice as I realized it tasted quite different than the one in Shanghai, much tastier! Our Sunday ended with a fruitful shopping trip at Guan Qian Street of Suzhou. This particular street is a long stretch of shops and more shops! As a tourist, Guan Qian Street is not to be missed out in the itinerary. Soon after draining out the last bit of our energy away, it was time to settle in our Suzhou hotel. The hotel’s exterior design was beautiful due to its traditional architecture. Overall, the night stay at the hotel wasn’t disappointing.

Monday’s itinerary will be visits to Suzhou’s attractions such as the #1 Silk Factory & the Garden of the Master of the Nets. Aside from that, we will be having a short student exchange during our visit to Suzhou’s Tourism & Finance Institute. It’s going to be another amazing & productive day. Check back for latest updates on our Suzhou’s experience! Till then, have a good night sleep everyone!


Team 2 School of Hospitality Diploma in Integrated Events Management Nadira (Leader) Celestine Jemie Wanning Peng Kiam Objective To visit the World Expo and also the wonders of Shanghai. Comments Links Team 1 Team 2 Team 3 Team 4 Team 5 Team 6 Team 7 Team 8 Team 9 Team 10 Student Leaders Archive Thank you Layout & css by:kynz gerl Credit: Celestine & Flickr Blog contents copyright © 2009-2009	Tuesday, September 28, 2010 26 September 2010, Day 5: Site Inspections! We started off our Sunday slightly different by gathering an hour later than the usual 8.30AM. According to our itinerary, it is the day of site inspections to places such as the local tour & travel agency known as Shanghai Ba-Shi International Travel Service & to Shanghai International Conference Centre too. We had to be split up into 2 groups when visiting the local travel agency as the operation office would not be able to accommodate all of us at one go. Thus, explains why we set off an hour later. Upon reaching the travel agency, weather was being unpredictable yet again with sudden showers getting all of us the chill. We quickly entered the building and found ourselves touring the operation office guided by the head management. It was like a typical office with every department working in their separate offices. As we settled down in the meeting room where the first batch was already there, the head manager of the agency gave us an overview of the company. Shanghai Ba-Shi International Travel Service specializes in inbound and outbound domestic travel & has apparently established itself over a short period of time. That was definitely no easy feat to accomplish & for that their hard work needs to be applauded. Truly commendable albeit the crisis they faced during the economic downturn & competition from online travel agencies as well. Even though the meeting was a short one, it was no less fruitful. After which, we made our way to the Shanghai International Conference Centre. Similar to the visit to travel agency, we were being split into 2 groups again. Over at the conference centre, it was sure a busy sight to see. This is so because they were in the midst of setting up the exhibition space for an annual event. There was plenty of noise pollution with all that drilling going on. Thus, it was a challenge for all of us to listen clearly to what was being explained by the event In-charge. However, we did catch up on certain points regarding the registration process. There was nothing in the process that was being done manually. Every stage of the registration has the usage of technology which resulted in higher efficiency & a more systematic process, proven workable by past events as well. Unfortunately, we could not explore the whole conference centre as time did not permit. Off we go for lunch somewhere near Chenghuangmiao district. We had to source for our own lunch this time round. Shopping was done as well in the given free & easy period. In late afternoon, we set off to Suzhou reaching there just in time for dinner at a scheduled restaurant. The food was great especially the rice as I realized it tasted quite different than the one in Shanghai, much tastier! Our Sunday ended with a fruitful shopping trip at Guan Qian Street of Suzhou. This particular street is a long stretch of shops and more shops! As a tourist, Guan Qian Street is not to be missed out in the itinerary. Soon after draining out the last bit of our energy away, it was time to settle in our Suzhou hotel. The hotel’s exterior design was beautiful due to its traditional architecture. Overall, the night stay at the hotel wasn’t disappointing. Monday’s itinerary will be visits to Suzhou’s attractions such as the #1 Silk Factory & the Garden of the Master of the Nets. Aside from that, we will be having a short student exchange during our visit to Suzhou’s Tourism & Finance Institute. It’s going to be another amazing & productive day. Check back for latest updates on our Suzhou’s experience! Till then, have a good night sleep everyone!