WildChina CFO gives travel insights
Print Edition
Name/Nationality: Zhang Mei/Yunnan Province, China
Profession/Title: Founder and CEO of WildChina Travel
How often do you travel?
I’m constantly on the road. Between meeting clients, developing new exciting products, or just getting away for some R&R, I am on the road about 7 to 10 days every month.
Favorite traveling style?
Exploring with a local expert is key. They will help you open doors and help you gain insights into local culture. From Africa to Myanmar, I have gotten so much more out of a destination by traveling there with a local.
Q: What do you always do after returning from a trip?
A: I enjoy flower arranging, so I often go to the flower market before making a cup of tea and reading a book. It’s either that or I’m straight back to my mom duties — driving the kids to tennis and watching them play.
Q: What do you always search for during a trip?
A: I always look for local personalities who inspire me and products that are made with care and passion — whether it’s an artisan designer, a boutique hotel, or local, handmade cheese.
Q: What do you always pack?
A: I always bring my running clothes. But beyond that, my general advice is to pack as little as possible. It’s never fun lugging around stuff that you just don’t need.
Q: What is your preferred airline?
A: United Airlines — but only because of my Platinum member perks.
Q: Do you have any tips about seating on a flight?
A: I like to sit in the first three rows on the right, next to the window.
Q: Best in-flight meal or activity?
A: Watching movies.
Q: How do you get over jet lag?
A: I don’t do jet lag. Even on a short flight I try to sleep as much as possible and that way, when I land, it is easier for me to force myself to adjust to the local time zone.
Q: What are your favorite hotels? What makes these hotels so memorable?
A: The Peninsula Hong Kong. For me, the view over Victoria Harbor is one of the best in the world. They also show great attention to detail and the service is courteous without being snobbish.
Q: What do you value most when choosing a hotel?
A: There are two things that are most important to me. A: a really comfortable bed; B: a room needs to be clean, with no strange smells. After that, I want a room that is done with care. That doesn’t mean everything is really expensive — for me, attention to the small details is more important.
Q: What hotels do you look forward to staying at in the future?
A: The Peninsula Yangon when it’s done in a couple of years.
Q: Recommend one of your favorite destinations. Why is it so special?
A: Dali. (I may seem biased because that’s my hometown, but it really is a gem!) On the surface, people mistake it as a lesser Lijiang with tourists and shops. But scratch a little harder and Dali has a beautiful soul. In the capital of ancient Dali Kingdom, the local Bai communities have managed to maintain their lifestyle in parallel to the tourists. There is also a vibrant art and architecture scene.
Q: What do you do upon arriving in Dali?
A: I pre-arrange a car that takes me straight to the old town area. I pop into Bakery 88 for a fresh orange juice and something to eat and then go for a walk or run around the lake.
Q: Where are you planning to go next and why?
A: Tanzania. East Africa is fascinating and highly in demand by Chinese clients. It was a toss-up between there and Kenya but in Tanzania we have found a partner that puts a focus on conservation. I’m also taking my son with me for his 13th birthday.
Q: What’s the strangest request that a guest has made at your agency?
A: We’re discreet and always go the extra mile. We’re here to serve, not to judge.
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