Bridge for Education and International Travel (BEIT) is a China based exchange organisation that is passionate about creating cultural connections. We spoke to BEIT’s Overseas Marketing Director Scarllet Mao to get to know the story behind the new member.
Tell us your story. How did your business get started?
In 2009 I met some American work and travel students while I was travelling and learnt that the work abroad programme had made a significant influence on them. Thus, I started the business in order to help Chinese students work abroad and foreign students to work in China.
What are your unique selling points? What makes you different?
We offer a full travel experience for students who want to immerse themselves in international culture. Our team is made up of experienced and passionate travellers, the majority of whom have taken part in international programmes before. We not only offer excellent work programmes, but also provide home stay opportunities so that travellers can get the most out of their destination.
What are some of your success stories?
BEIT has successfully set up three offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Xi’an, and over the past five years has sent thousands of students abroad and received hundreds of foreign students to our country. Our organisation also offers scholarships every year to encourage young people to pursue their dreams. Some of our scholarship students are now working in fortune 500 companies and others have gained long term working contracts abroad – we are proud to have been a part of their success.
What are your future plans?
We hope to continue to help more young professionals gain international experience and we are setting up a new website – www.china homestay.com – that connects local Chinese host families with foreign students, who will then work for their host families while travelling and learning. We are hoping to expand this offering and open it up to more destinations abroad.
Which trends and challenges do you see in the youth travel sector?
Travellers have high expectations for their experience. They want to know as much as possible about the local culture. For this reason, we are constantly working to perfect our products so we can offer the best quality and meet these expectations.
What was your motivation to join WYSE Travel Confederation?
We are passionate about integrating ourselves into communities of like-minded individuals and organisations. therefore WYSE Travel Confederation seemed like an excellent match to help us in the development of the youth travel sector.
Any top tips for people starting out in the youth travel sector?
Finding success with young travellers means always finding a way to offer what the ever-changing market is looking for, and being able to reach them in new ways as media and marketing continue to evolve.
Share your story
WYSE Travel Confederation values all of its members and enjoys hearing and sharing the stories behind the brands and organisations that build up our ever growing community of service providers to the youth and student travel industry. If you would like to see your story here contact us, or join WYSE as a member.
Join WYSE Travel Confederation
If you’d like to join WYSE Travel Confederation and benefit from new connections, free access to industry research, informative webinar sessions, discounts on industry events and brand exposure within the youth and student travel industry, click here to find out more.
