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China in the fast lane

Chris Taylor

For business travellers, China has come a long way in the past decade: International-class hotels with first-rate executive floors have sprung up not only in the country's business hubs, but increasingly in second-tier hinterland cities; meanwhile, getting around is being made less onerous by the construction of multilane highways and the increasing availability of flights.

One thing, however, hasn't changed much, and that's the queues at immigration checkpoints. At peak hours in Beijing and Shanghai, it's not uncommon for foreign travellers - who generally seem to be served by a miniscule pool of designated customs officials - to find themselves standing in line for an hour or longer. If time is of the essence, it might be time to consider a concierge service.

Barry D. Nassberg, executive vice president and chief operating office of Worldwide Flight Services, calls it 'extending the reach of hotels' executive services all the way to the airport air-gate.' Jeff Bent, deputy general manager of Superior Travellers Services, on the other hand, prefers to think of his company's China Fast Track service as an extension of the airline companies' first- and business-class services. But however you look at it, the concierge services the two companies offer in China are the perfect antidote to the immigration and customs blues.

It is the country's somewhat unique rules on immigration and customs that make the services possible, allowing concierges to meet arriving flights at the air-gate and then whisk the traveller through a special VIP immigration channel, while everyone else on the flight stands in line waiting for their chop. Typically, says Mr Bent, travellers using his China Fast Track service can be off the flight and into a waiting limousine within five to 10 minutes.

Additional benefits include the option of separate delivery of any check-in baggage, while- in another only-in-China bending of the rules - departing travellers can have their concierge not only check in their baggage but also get their boarding card while they relax in the airport's first-class lounge.

Nassberg of Worldwide Flight Services, which currently offers the services in Hong Kong and Beijing, says that hotels are increasingly opting to use them for 'high-tier' guests, adding that 'everyone who experiences it, loves it.' As Nassberg points out, it's also possible to opt for a streamlined version of the service that just involves taking one of the company's motorised trolleys that ferry passengers around the vast halls of the Hong Kong International Airport for only HK$40 per trip.

For travellers heading out into the Chinese hinterland, China Fast Track covers an expanding array of mainland destinations, including Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Macao for domestic and international flights, and Shenzhen, Chengdu, Kunming, Dalian, Wuhan, Shenyang, Xiamen, and Hangzhou for domestic flights.

Worldwide Flight Services

Booking Hotline: 2261-2727

Sales Enquiry: 2122-9813

Fax: 2261-2677

Regional Office

Worldwide House 1501A, 19 Des Voeux Road Central, Hong Kong.

China Fast Track

Superior Travellers Services Ltd.

1208, 173 Des Voeux Road Central, Hong Kong

tel 2544-5550 email [email protected]

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