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Press Release # 218

PACIFIC DELIGHT TOURS NAMES
INDUSTRY VETERAN LARRY KWAN AS PRESIDENT

- Veteran Operations Team Reunited Under Leadership Of Kwan -

NEW YORK, NY (June 24, 2009) &ndash  Larry Kwan, long-time industry veteran and Asia industry icon, has returned to Pacific Delight Tours to assume the role of President for the multiple award-winning operator. Larry Kwan (pictured right) will be responsible for the operations, marketing, sales, and strategic management of Pacific Delight. Kwan has five decades of travel industry management which includes more than 27 years working with the late Francis Luk to build Pacific Delight Tours into the industry leader for luxury travel to China and Asia.

Jerry Pi, formerly President of Pacific Delight Tours, will return to the family real estate business to finish two major New York City development projects.

“It is like returning to family,” said Kwan.  “Pacific Delight sets the standard for quality, value and execution for luxury travel throughout Asia.  I am excited to return and continue to establish new levels of sophistication for Pacific Delight Tours. Under my leadership Pacific Delight will continue to be the standard,” added Kwan.

“In spite of the troubling economy, Pacific Delight has remained one of the few truly viable tour operator companies due to our strong reputation in the marketplace.  Larry Kwan's immense background and personal dedication to the Pacific Delight brand &ndash a legacy he proudly shares with late founder Francis Luk &ndash makes him the perfect leader with which to entrust our reputation,” said Lily Mui, Vice President of Groups and long-time Pacific Delight colleague of Kwan.

Born in Tianjin, China and raised and educated in Hong Kong, Kwan started with Pan American Airways in the 1960s in reservations and sales.  He then moved to Varig Brazilian Airways becoming the airline's first district sales manager and launching Varig's Hong Kong office.

Kwan arrived at Pacific Delight Tours in 1973 as Senior Vice President.  He worked with founder Francis Luk to build Pacific Delight's reputation and shape the company into the undisputed industry leader for luxury travel to China and Asia.  Pacific Delight has since been known as a top quality tour operator, second to none in China and the exotic Asian destinations within its luxury portfolio.

After Pacific Delight Tours, Kwan served as president of Far & Wide's Asia division where he served from 2001-2003.  He then became vice president of the Asia division for Travel Bound until 2005 before entering semi-retirement but remained active in the industry with various consultancy projects.

His return to Pacific Delight Tours and appointment as President of the award-winning organization adds to the veteran team at Pacific Delight as they begin to promote their 2010 luxury tour programs to the travel trade.  Other management staff members include Lily Mui &ndash Vice President of Groups, Thomas J. Gal &ndash Director of Operations, and Annie Cheung &ndash Director of Air Operations.

Lily Mui also began her career with Pacific Delight in 1973, working her way through the reservations and accounting departments before moving to the Special Groups Department, where she's been responsible for group planning, sales and pricing for the last 33 years.  Mui currently plans itineraries for special interest groups and oversees operations for the entire Groups Department to ensure top-quality service.

Thomas Gal is a highly qualified professional with over 20 years of organizational and management experience in the hospitality industry, including 10 years at Hurtigruten (formerly Norwegian Coastal Village), where he held key positions involving all segments of the company's operation including project management, systems integration, staff training as well as vendor contract negotiation.  Presently, Director of Operations at Pacific Delight Tours, Gal's role includes managing daily operations as well as developing product and analyzing trends to maximize marketing and sales efforts.

As Operation Manager for the Air Department, Annie Cheung oversees and coordinates all aspects of Pacific Delight's air program, including negotiations with airlines to secure value-oriented prices for the operator's air-inclusive programs and attractive add-on rates from gateways throughout the U.S.  Cheung has been with Pacific Delight Tours for 30 years.

Pacific Delight Tours

For over 38 years, Pacific Delight Tours has been America's leading tour operator to China and Asia.  The company has three main program offerings: its Award-winning Gold Experience Program caters to the ultra-luxury, exclusive clientele; the Escapade Adventures provide an off-the-beaten path program for the more active traveler, and the popular SuperValue Programs provide the best value in escorted tours in Asia.

Pacific Delight Tours is the winner of the 2008 and 2009 Travel Age West WAVE Award, 2008 Agent@Home Reader's Choice Award and 2008 Travel Weekly Finalist for Best Tour Operator in Asia.  The company is also a long-standing proud member of the United States Tour Operators Association.

Reservations, brochures and information can be obtained from travel agents and Pacific Delight Tours, telephone: (800) 221-7179 or (212) 818-1781; website: www.PacificDelightTours.com.

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