Stories of Innovation in Tourism

Event Details

Zhang Mei will share her stories of bringing innovation into China's tourism industry 16 years ago through her first entrepreneurial ventures, WildChina and Beshan, both of which provide off-the-beaten-path journeys while emphasizing premium-quality service. She will discuss how WildChina trips have enabled clients to explore the remote corners of China in a sustainable and responsible manner.

Zhang Mei and Leo Li will then talk about the birth of NewUGo ("Avocado" in Chinese) Travel, their most recent innovation following WildChina and Beshan. They will share the stories of a few interesting locals who are popular "Avocados" on the NewUGo platform, and how the company's economic sharing model empowers local communities.

During Q&A, attendants will enjoy a selection of local snacks made by Avocado guides in Yunnan and Guizhou.

Language

The language of the event will be Chinese.

Schedule

2:30-3:00 pm: Registration
3:00-4:30 pm: Talk and Q&A

Registration and Payment

Ticket: Free for students; RMB 60 for others

Please note: All attendee information collected by Yale Center Beijing through the event registration form on this website, or by any other means, will be kept strictly confidential. Yale Center Beijing will never distribute, sell, license, or otherwise make available for any purpose, any attendee information to any third party, unless otherwise required by law.

Speakers

Leo Li
Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of NewUGo Travel
Leo is primarily in charge of product development and business partnership building of NewUGo Travel. Prior to NewUGo, Leo worked at the Investment Banking Division of Goldman Sachs China where he gained a broad IPO transaction experience in Consumer & Retail and Technology, Media & Telecommunications sectors.

Leo obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Yale University with honor in 2013. He is also a Global Shaper of the World Economic Forum-Global Shapers Community. Leo has lived and studied in China, the United States and Japan.
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Mei Zhang
Founder of WildChina, Beshan Travel, and NewUGo Travel
Zhang Mei left her humble roots as an electrician’s daughter to pursue a Harvard Business School MBA, and later worked for McKinsey & Company as a consultant until she found her true passion in sustainable travel. She has built WildChina, a trendsetting travel company founded in 2000 providing off-the-beaten-path travel experiences in China, into one of the world’s BEST Adventure Travel Companies awarded by National Geographic Traveler. In 2011, she started another venture, Beshan Travel, to introduce chic travel lifestyle to sophisticated Chinese travelers, and in December 2015 launched NewUGo Travel, a unique online platform enabling people to discover, buy and sell authentic tour experiences, local activities and extended trips.

Zhang Mei lives in Beijing with her husband and three children. She is an avid marathon runner and has completed 14 full marathons across the globe.
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