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WELLNESS AND TECH TOURS, AS WELL AS LOVED CULTURAL EXPERIENCES: WENDY WU TOURS FOUNDER CHATS ALL THINGS TOURING WITH SARAH PICKERING
NI Travel News’ Sarah Pickering caught up with Wendy Wu Tours’ Founder, Wendy Wu to find out why she began a now award-winning tour operator and how it has risen to such success. “We are not only an escorted tour operator, but a specialist escorted tour operator” says Wendy. “We have been winning [awards for]16
years now.” Wendy Wu has enjoyed success across multiple travel awards, where the tour operator has been recognised as best specialist tour operator of the year and best premium tour operator of the year on numerous occasions. But what makes Wendy Wu Tours different from other tour operators out there? Wendy explains, “we are not a company that just ticks the boxes. We don’t just show you - you come with us, and we don’t just take you to see it - we take you to live there. During the short time travelling, you are with us. We dig deep and uncover all these new things. It’s the zen, it’s the culture, the history, the futuristic feel, the nature. All together, in one, and you experience all this in that short time.” The specialist tour operator welcomes hundreds of travellers each year on its
vast range of touring programmes, which sees travellers visit China, Japan, South America, India and further afield. Wendy Wu Tours began back in 1994 after Wendy advertised a group in a local newspaper - the tour was a hit and attracted 28 passengers to explore with her! “This is what makes us special. For example, everybody goes to the Great Wall. And you’ll walk for a kilometre, and you will walk past people selling you hats, t-shirts etc. We don’t. Our coach parks about 100 metres away from the world. You are right there… that type of experience doesn’t matter how many pictures you take, or how many YouTube videos you take, it’s different when you’re standing right there.” Each tour with Wendy Wu Tours is guided
by local experts who are sure to provide you with the utmost fun, history and involve you in the traditional culture all around. Wendy believes it’s the tour guides that set Wendy Wu Tours apart, explaining, “We make a holiday from good to great, [the guides take this] to extraordinary. That is the specialist story.” The passion and love for their job is evident to its success, which Wendy displays
through her story- telling and excitement for the tours. When asked what developed Wendy Wu tours to what it is today, Wendy highlighted its three core things. “Our team. We are hungry for the culture, for the history, and for the destination. We are passionate. Another big one is our customers. They drive us. We are pretty crazy.” She continued,
“We really love every minute of what we do. Wendy highlights how
customers
helped push her into expanding Wendy Wu Tours beyond China. “Customers said they have been everywhere in China and said, ok. So we expanded to Southeast Asia, Japan, Korea, then into India. We are Asia specialists.” Wendy Wu Tours, just like so many others, felt the wrath of the Covid-19 Pandemic but, instead of letting it halt tours , Wendy used this to their strength. “COVID stopped us from travelling and customers just wanted to travel . ‘Please take us somewhere, just anywhere’. So we took them to Scotland… and we even took the Scottish to Scotland!” From here, this expansion took Wendy Wu Tours in a new, different direction, opening up Europe to its customers. “We have expanded to Portugal, and we do turkey, we do Egypt, we do Morocco, and we do Jordan. That is really driven by our customers. It’s such a pleasure to serve them, because they are just as passionate as us. Wendy’s third most important part of
the special tour operator is guided by the world. “The world has become smaller and people are living longer- they are more energetic, and they want to be enriched. This is something that was not possible before, so I think these three things are what makes us, us.” Having expanded to many different
parts of the world, offering a multitude of tours, I was keen to learn where Wendy Wu Tours goes from here. “We always want to be specialists.” says Wendy. “ Even though we have many destinations now, we still choose [these destinations] very carefully. We will only do [a tour] if we can uncover so much, and make it worthwhile because we don’t do a destination for the sake of
it.” Continuing, “We only go somewhere where we can do it the specialist way. We’ve got around 44 to 46 countries now, and we’re evolving the tours as well. We’re touching on wellness tours, and tech tours for champions of business so it’s evolving that way as well.” With a plethora of tours and destinations
at travellers fingertips, Wendy Wu Tours looks to cater for a multitude of customers, as Wendy explains, “some of our customers have never been on escorted tours before. They’re quite independent travellers. But because of the countries we pick, such as Japan and China, you will usually only go there once. But you never know, as it is hard to go back. Then, on the other hand, we have customers who have already travelled to many places and want to go somewhere far, and have this rich experience. Customers would normally be able to afford a lot of time because normally you need about 10 days, two weeks to explore the best of China. And then for Japan, for 14 days.” Wendy goes on to explain the value of hand-picked tours and guides from locals, which is something difficult to do when organising your own travel. Wendy Wu Tours has seen an increase in solo travel, with these customers making up to 30% of
business.This is something they plan to expand on in the future. The fully exclusive touring specialist is holding a free in-person event for members of the public in Northern Ireland to enjoy live destination talks, expert travel advice and exclusive on-the-day offers. The event is taking place at Knock Golf Club on 11th February between 11am-2pm. Wendy Wu Tours can be booked through your local NI travel agent.
February 2026
Travelling to Japan? These are the Top Tips from Travel ExpertS
With Japan firmly at the top of many travellers’ bucket lists, the specialists at JR Pass have created the ultimate beginners guide to Japan, designed to help plan an unforgettable trip.
Haroun Khan at JR Pass provides his advice for deciding the perfect visiting time: “To find the perfect date for your visit, start by thinking about your priorities and what you want to experience. If it’s the cherry blossoms in full bloom, then visiting during March to May is a must. On the other hand, if you prefer a calmer atmosphere, visiting in late May or early November will mean fewer crowds, and the scenery will still be picture perfect. “Japan experiences all types of weather,
from hot summers, to chilly winters and everything in between so it’s also worth considering the weather when planning your trip. Think about the conditions you’re most comfortable in, and tailor your visit to match your preferences.” Japan’s famous cherry blossoms reach their peak between March and May, drawing
visitors from around the world. The mild spring weather makes this one of the most comfortable times to explore, but it also means you’ll be sharing the experience with large crowds. If you don’t mind the bustle, this season is perfect for witnessing Japan at its most iconic and picturesque. Golden Week is one
of Japan’s busiest holiday periods, with several
holidays
national packed
into a single week. Both international tourists and domestic travellers take to the roads, rails, and skies, making popular destinations especially crowded and accommodation harder to secure. While the festive atmosphere can be
exciting, those seeking a quieter journey may want to avoid this period. With a sea of orange and yellow hues spreading across Japan and milder temperatures, Autumn is a very popular time for tourists to visit. However, because of its beauty and favourable weather, it can be just as busy as spring. For a more tranquil experience, consider travelling slightly outside the peak foliage period. Japan’s train system is fast, reliable,
and one of the easiest ways to explore the country. For travellers heading to several different cities, a Japan Rail Pass can make
the journey simpler and often cheaper than buying separate tickets. Haroun’s pro tip: “If you’re planning a few long-distance trips, the rail pass really pays off. It also lets you ride the bullet trains, which are an experience in themselves. On top of that, being able to reserve seats makes travelling a lot less stressful.” Choosing where to stay is a big decision
when planning your dream trip to Japan, as balancing location, convenience, and cost can be tricky if you’re not familiar with the area. For travellers watching their budget, JR Pass research shows that Nara is the most affordable city, offering rich history, culture, and art to explore. Chiba, close to Tokyo and home to Disneyland, ranks second for cost- effective accommodations, making it a great choice for families or budget- conscious visitors. Of course, many travellers focus on
major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, which offer a wide range of accommodations from luxury hotels to budget hostels. Prices can be higher in these cities, but staying slightly outside the city centre or using nearby towns can help you save money while still enjoying all the attractions.
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