AAA Western & Central NY

ROCHESTER, N.Y., JULY 15, 2008 – This August, the world will turn its attention to Beijing, China for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. Western New York’s own David Noyes, AAA Going Places magazine editor, travel writer and award winning photographer, was one of only ten international photographers invited by the Beijing Foreign Cultural Exchanges Association and the Beijing Morning Post to participate in this rare pre-Olympic opportunity.

The only American photographer selected to preview the new and proud city of Beijing, Noyes spent seven days exploring and photographing the many facets of the city and its transformation as it prepares to host the Summer Games. Noyes also participated in a four-day, follow-along media interview with the Chinese Travel Channel during his visit, providing an American perspective of the Olympic Games and the settlement of Tibet.

It was quite an honor to be invited to participate in this project,” said Noyes of his experience. “I have enjoyed working on several Chinese cultural exchange projects in the past and jumped at this rare opportunity to learn even more about China. I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences with AAA members through AAA Going Places magazine and in person at our upcoming event on Beijing and beyond.”

AAA Travel will be hosting host a special event, Exotic China: Beijing and Beyond, on Thursday, July 31st, at the AAA Travel and Insurance Center, 2156 Penfield Road in Penfield at 7:00 p.m. Exotic China will feature an informal photography presentation by David Noyes that captures his recent trip abroad. AAA members and the general public can share travel stories, plan their travels to China with AAA’s own experts, and learn cultural courtesies that will make for a more enjoyable journey.

“China is a fascinating country that continues to grow in popularity as one of the great travel destinations in the world,” said Tharwat Abouraya, Vice President of Travel for AAA Western and Central New York. “We’re fortunate to have an experienced world traveler and photographer in David Noyes. Our AAA Travel professionals have benefited from David’s experiences and are able to pass that knowledge on to our members and travelers.”

According to a recent study by AAA and Global Insight, China is expected to see a 13.4 percent increase (573,000 individuals) in American travelers this summer compared to 2007, the largest increase of all international travel destinations for the months of June, July, and August.

For more information on China or to make a reservation for the Exotic China: Beijing and Beyond event, please call (800) 937-1222 or visit www.AAA.com/GP.

David Noyes, CTA, a native Western New Yorker, is a graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology and Harvard University. He has been a professional photographer for over 20 years and has won several first-place awards from the North American Travel Journalist Association for both photography and travel writing. Noyes joined AAA Western and Central New York in June of 2007 as the managing editor of AAA’s travel magazine, Going Places.

As Upstate New York’s largest motoring and travel organization, AAA provides its 900,000 members with travel, insurance, financial, and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1900, AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited at www.AAA.com.