Noel Irwin Hentschel
Chairman, CEO and co-founder, AmericanTours International
Shanghai Surprises: Religious Tourism in
the 'New New York'
Posted: 11/11/2012 10:40 am
Shanghai is fast becoming "Manhattan of the East." My recent visit illustrated that commerce, politics and
religion are becoming connected between the trading partners, the United States and China, in this
dynamic international city. Good for business and good for friendship. Our distinguished Chinese
government host asked me to slice the first piece of the carefully prepared roasted duck in the very same
place where China's Premier Zhou Enlai and U.S. President Richard Nixon ate the same delicacy 40 years
earlier, showcasing tantalizing tales and tastes for visitors to experience. Our stimulating conversation led
to learning that Shanghai was the safe haven for many Jews during World War II and that there is a
"Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum" worth visiting. Nearby there is a magnificent basilica called "Our
Lady of Sheshan" with an interesting history. We all agreed that these historical anecdotes of Judaism and
Christianity in China promoted to American and Chinese tourists are good for commerce, good for politics
and good for society. It made us ponder if American foreign policy leaders who helped advance SinoAmerican relations including Dr. Kissinger ever imagined the China which exists today.
Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration working in concert with developers and the hospitality
industry is aggressive in positioning Shanghai as the "new New York." Rapid change best describes my
observations over the last several years while commuting to China regularly for business and government
meetings. Major cities across China are being developed to look more like notable U.S. cities. Shanghai,
"Manhattan of the East," is the best example of this plan. A modern skyline along the famous Bund and
harbor along with ethnic architecture preservation like found in the French Concession reminds one of the
Big Apple, New York City. But Chinatowns in the U.S. are not yet on par with China's quaint authentic
historic towns.
In our visit to communities surrounding Shanghai, homes look like estates in the Orange Counties of
California or Florida with man-made lakes on golf courses and Disney will soon open a theme park.
Juxtaposed to this, real ancient villages with traditional Chinese courtyard houses exist side by side to the
modern. We visited one such traditional village "Wuzshou." This popular place is explored by over 10,000
paying visitors a day who generate more than a million yuan ($150,000) daily in entrance fees alone into
the local Chinese economy.
Imagine if America invested in developing and marketing our classical historic places like Natchez,
Mississippi or downtown Detroit for the soulful Motown experience. What a difference it could make to
creating sustainable jobs including in our struggling inner cities. We do not need to raise income or
corporate taxes on any American to accomplish this job-creating objective. Just enforce collecting the
enormous tax dollars not being paid by foreign owned tourism companies doing business in America.
China has a focused plan for future development with tourism, training and commerce central to their
economic growth and global influence strategy. China's government understands the importance of
tourism and they are making the investments necessary to prepare a multi-lingual, service-trained work
force to compete globally for tourist dollars. Scores of Chinese students are being educated at America's
best universities and China's academic institutions are being expanded to prepare next generations of
their workers to compete in the service industry including fluency skills in English.
America would be wise to garner American private and public sector experts to create a focused strategic
growth plan to ensure Americans are well-prepared to work, to serve, to manufacture and to compete with
more "Made in the USA" products and services. That is the huge economic benefit of attracting more
tourists to America from China and from other countries, the primary mission of American-owned,
AmericanTours International. Showcasing Main Street USA towns and our amazing national parks across
America from "Hollywood to Broadway," traveling by ATI Motorcoach meeting many Americans is the
best way for visitors to experience the "real America." Chinese tourists spend on average $6,000 per
person shopping at our outlet malls. That's helping create more jobs and selling a lot of "Made in USA"
Coach handbags, the favorite brand for Chinese to own.
Shanghai surprises continue to unfold as this cosmopolitan city combines the past with the future, now
offering religious tourism as another reason to visit. The Shanghai government is actively promoting the
history of "The Jews in Shanghai" in brochures stating that from 1933 to 1941, Shanghai became a
modern-day "Noah's Ark" and a safe refuge to 30,000 Jewish people fleeing the Holocaust in Europe.
While there is a Jewish Museum in Shanghai, there is also the Chabad Lubavitch in Beijing with a
community center, kosher food and Menorah Academy.
The Kaifeng Jewish community in Henan Province is also interesting to visit, dating back to the 7th
century Tang Dynasty with some intriguing history. Rabbis were called mullahs there because of the
historic influence of Muslims in the mixed culture. China enjoys good diplomatic relations with Israel and
discussions are ongoing for Israel to allow Kaifeng Jewish descendants to immigrate to Israel should any
desire.
Shanghai is full of surprises but then so is New York City which is one of the world's favorite tourism
destinations. The late decision taken to cancel the New York City Marathon race was not well received by
the 10,000 overseas visitors. It behooves the real Manhattan to remember that tourists do vote, with their
wallets -- that means lower hotel taxes and higher appreciation for them choosing to come to New York is
important. Cities compete for tourist dollars. Mayor Bloomberg making the international NYC marathon
runners feel welcome is a good start or next time they may run in Shanghai.
Since AmericanTours International arranges purposeful travel to visit Cuba for Jewish Groups as a
specialty (holding the TSP license required in the United States to arrange these authorized services)
China will now become the newest destination for AmericanTours to bring Jewish travelers as well as
Christian pilgrims. Already AmericanTours has arranged for Buddhist groups to visit famous sites
across China. This in-depth AmericanTours cultural program will afford the special opportunity and
unique experience to now also learn about the fascinating history of Jews and Christians in China and
witness the growth of religion and commerce in this quickly evolving nation. Watch for more surprises.