Roy Graff
Chairman, ChinaContact Travel Solutions
An accomplished Business Developer who has covered all aspects of strategy and marketing. Possesses expertise on China business and culture as well as speaking fluent Chinese. Has demonstrated a high degree of initiative, independence and innovation in growing the Chinese arm of a multinational company and launching his own China-related enterprise. Particular strengths in e-commerce, travel technology, marketing, PR and distribution.
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 to the travel trade, Gullivers Travel Associates (now part of Cendant Corporation).
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.
He has also 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.
In China Roy made several important speeches at tourism related conferences and events, most notably:
* 'Use of internet technology in tourism' at the Chinese Hotel Association annual conference in Beijing, April 2003.
* Moderator of finance session and panellist on sustainable development session of 'International Forum on Modern Tourism Trends' in Beijing, September 2004.
* 'Private sector tourism development in world heritage sites' at the China World Heritage Biodiversity Program Forum in Kunming, October 2004.
* 'The potential of inbound tourism to China' at the World Tourism Marketing Summit in Nanjing, November 2004
In 1996, Roy represented the Israel Tourism office in Taipei, Taiwan while learning Mandarin Chinese at the same time, completing a BA in Chinese & Economics from London School of Oriental & African studies. He was vice president communications of PACE (Professional Association for China's Environment) and is an active Tourism Concern member and campaigner. Roy cooperates with UNESCO, IUCN and other bodies to promote a sustainable and ethical tourism industry in China.
links:
http://www.chinacontact.org
http://network.chinacontact.org
62 contactsChinaContact Travel Solutions develop modern travel distribution and management for the Chinese travel space.
Current projects include:
1. Creating a solid travel technology platform connecting China and the rest of the world using vertical Search, XML and Web 2.0 tools.
It provides the most competitive method to source travel in China for independent travelers & to distribute international travel services to Chinese outbound travelers through the travel trade and consumers.
Status: startup, requires seed funding.
2. Setup and growth of an economy-level business hotel chain in Western China utilizing local expertise and contacts and leveraging latest distribution technology, modern service ethic and international marketing knowledge.
Status: startup - requires seed funding.
As Chairman, I look after global strategic growth and marketing, and manage foreign investment into the companies.
If interested in any of these businesses, please email me for more details.
ChinaContact is a China market entry specialist for the tourism, events and exhibitions industries. We specialise in consultation, brokering deals, representation and practical business services for destinations, FIT, Corporate and Incentive travel.
We offer a range of dedicated, personalised services for select clients in the private and public sector that will overcome the challenges of developing tourism business with China.
With ChinaContact you receive the benefits of Chinese local know-how with western standards & experience:
* Practical experience with managing events in China.
* Inside knowledge of China’s tourism industry
* Proven experience in the outbound sector
* Local expertise backed by international management
* Extensive network of professional contacts
* Limited company registered in London
* Contact centres in London, New York and Beijing
* Dedicated, flexible and mobile sales team
