Viva Tours completes initial round of financing

Viva Tours LLC, a Las Vegas-based tour operator group focusing on the lucrative Chinese tourism industry, announced Wednesday that is has closed a round of seed funding led by a group of prominent angel investors, including Eric Semel, a former executive with MGM Resorts International and CEO of UK Betting PLC.

Viva Tours declined to disclose the amount raised. The funding will provide the company with the financing to fund the expansion of its sales infrastructure and business operations, a company executive said.

"The growing Chinese outbound market has become one of the most valuable and sought after travel segments," Viva Tours CEO Tom Arasi said. "(The company) is focused on being an early mover in the upper tier of this market by establishing a dedicated sales organization in China, and curating unique, luxury travel experiences custom designed for affluent Chinese."

Viva Tours will offer premium U.S. travel products through sales executives in Shanghai, Beijing, Xiamen, Changchun, Hangzhou and Taiyuan.

Contact reporter Chris Sieroty at csieroty@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893.