You are constantly being told to sell only what you know and not what you don’t. That is good advice in the complex world of luxury travel as there are many things that can go wrong. You are also being challenged by your clients to deliver new experiences that often are not mass manufactured or reproduced. At Luxury Travel Advisor, our passion is to deliver that one-of-a-kind experience—knowledge of a ship or hotel that is directed at the most discerning clientele—and anticipate the vital information you may need. On a recent trip to Beijing, I was able to get a first look at the soon-to-open Hutong Museum. Since the mid-20th century, the number of Beijing hutongs has dropped dramatically as they are demolished to make way for new roads and buildings. Hutongs are narrow streets with courtyard residences, basically an apartment building, to draw an analogy. Prince Charles has recognized the importance of preserving the hutongs and, along with The Prince’s Charities, funded this museum.

Pictured below is Matthew Hu from the Prince’s Charities foundation and Lin Xu of VariArts Travel, the DMC that brought me this unique experience. Also pictured below is Yngvar Stray, general manager of the St Regis Beijing. 

Interesting observation, beyond the obviously amazing service and accommodation at The St. Regis, is that—as I noticed many American families on holiday there, it struck me—Beijing, as the capital city, is a great place to discover China. You probably wouldn’t say that about Washington, DC as a first stop for foreign travelers. To get a better feel for China, you can watch this video featuring our own Ruthanne Terrero: (http://bit.ly/18UPwJy). To access the Hutong Museum or meet any of your clients’ needs in China, Variarts’ website is www.variarts.com.