The year 1987 saw the induction of the first female artist into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame - Aretha Franklin. Meanwhile, another female was busy making tracks of a different kind, with a bright-eyed Helen Wong pioneering group tours to the People's Republic of China for curious Australian travellers.
The following year the wholesaler's first glossy brochure was launched, the first of a string of achievements that included Helen Wong's Tours was recognised among the top 100 fastest growing private companies in Australia during 1990s, and during the noughties, the company adopting a giant panda at the Chengdu Breeding Research Centre as well as being appointed sole Australian ticket agents for Expo 2010 in Shanghai.
And this year saw Helen Wong's Tours officially passed the 200,000 visitor milestone (for Australian visitors to Shanghai). 2012 is also a year of series of promotions by the company, designed to coincide with its Silver Anniversary.
Celebrations have led to the giveaway of around 100 trips for travel agents so they can experience China as well as Vietnam first hand. A major event was Helen's Mega Trivia Challenge, held in Sydney on March 21 and attracting a crowd of almost 150 competitors.
"I have a few more surprises up my sleeve for the remainder of the year," Wong said. "It has been a long journey promoting China for Australians and there's still a lot to promote as China changes with the times - without detracting from its historic roots and traditions."
The operator launched its 2012/13 brochure in December, adding two new itineraries in the form of the 15-day Cruise and Rail Journey and the 14-day Family Affair. Another highlight is the "Helen's Choice" of bonuses, a specially branded program created for travellers of different budgets, where a number of unique experiences are included on guided tours throughout China at no additional charge.
The wholesaler says bookings and deposits for the first two months have increased by almost 10% compared with the same period last year.