On International Women's Day 2019, Wendy Wu, founder and chairwoman of Wendy Wu Tours, is a shining example on what it takes to succeed and thrive in business and in life. In short, aspiration and sheer hard work are the vital ingredients for success.

Aspiration and hard, very hard work

Originally born in Tibet where Wendy spent the first seven years of her life before her father and mother moved to Shanghai, Wendy grew up with strong guidance and high expectations from her parents to become something 'great' in life. Wendy's parents were keen for her to follow in their footsteps and pursue a medical career, the same as they had achieved. This however was not meant to be and Wendy decided on doing a degree in chemistry. This led to a good job in the petroleum industry where Wendy became assistant editor for Petroleum Magazine. It was well-paid, her parents were happy but Wendy certainly wasn't. “After three years I felt in a rut. I was making a good living but I wanted more from my life. I felt like my life was just wasting away and had to change things”, says Wendy. History was about to be made!

Wendy Wu Tours is born

Wendy packed her bags and left for Australia, now fully in charge of her destiny. “I was in Sydney for four years and decided I wanted to do a China tour with my partner. I did all the research myself, putting together a 4-week itinerary, but two weeks before we were due to depart for China my partner was offered a promotion in Sydney and so we now had to make a decision to either stay and miss the holiday or think of another plan.” As the holiday had already been paid for it was decided that Wendy's partner would stay and Wendy would take the trip. “I needed help to finance the tour and so I put an advert in the paper advertising the tour and, given my fluency in Chinese, said that I would be a free tour guide”, says Wendy. Wendy was inundated with replies, much to her astonishment, and quickly realised the missing piece in the travel market that she could fill. Wendy Wu Tours was born.

Fast forward 20 years and Wendy is now the head of a multinational company with offices in London, Sydney, Auckland and China. What's more Wendy Wu Tours is now the number one specialist and multi award-winning travel company in the UK and Australia for tours to China and Japan. Wendy is one of only a select group of women to be inducted into The Travel Hall of Fame and has been recognised as one of the most influential women in travel. Wendy's decision to quit the petroleum industry certainly paid off!

Wendy's key advice to women everywhere on International Women's Day:

“Whatever it is that you want to do, just do it and don't overthink it. Don't let your ideas slip by”

“Bring people with you and don't have a small business mentality or life mentality for that matter, think big”

“Always be aware in your core of what you want to do. To make any sort of impact you have to share your ideas with others and let people know. Today the opportunities for women everywhere are endless, you just have to believe and go for it”

“Don't be so inward looking, use meditation and mindfulness to increase focus, concentration and productivity”

Wendy's top tip on International Women's Day 2019, “Ambition breeds success and so live your life that way you want to live it.”

Wise words Wendy!

 - Ends –

Notes:

Established in 1998, and with offices in London, Sydney, Auckland, Shanghai and Xian, Wendy Wu Tours is recognised as market leaders in travel to China and Asia. The company, now in its 20th year of business, launched a new South America holidays collection in 2018 and now operates escorted tours in 30 countries across Asia and South America. The company offers tour styles for all travellers including Classic, Active, Go Beyond, Exclusive, Private and Solo collections as well as Tailormade and Special Group Tours. Extensions and stopovers are also available. Tours include international flights, accommodation, transportation, expert local guides, entrance fees, meals and visa fees, where applicable.

Media contact:

Andy Eastham, PR & Communications Manager

andy.eastham@wendywutours.co.uk

07917 247546

Interviews, images and fact boxes available on request