US-China business travel fast-track program comes into force Thursday
The American Chamber of Commerce in China said that a US-China travel fast-track program, which allows for US business people and their families to more easily travel to China amid the pandemic, based on consensus reached during the two countries' leaders' summit last year, officially becomes effective from Thursday. The program aims to provide a more efficient, predictable, and reliable channel for essential US company executives, technical personnel, and their dependents to enter China, AmCham China said.
Chinese embassy tightens travel rules by requiring Covid test 7 days before boarding
The Chinese Embassy in the US said on January 5 that in light of the latest developments concerning COVID-19, major changes have been made on the application procedures of health code. Fully vaccinated passengers are required to take Covid test 7 days before boarding.
Domestic airlines scrap fuel surcharge ahead of festival season
Chinese airlines are scrapping fuel surcharges starting from Wednesday, reversing a decision to reimplement the levy just two months prior, according to airlines including Air China. The move, which comes ahead of the busy Spring Festival travel season, is aimed at easing cost pressures on the traveling public in the face of the ongoing pandemic.
China's domestic tourism revenue to near USD 600 billion in 2022
China's domestic tourism revenue is expected to reach RMB 3.81 trillion (USD 598 billion) in 2022, Dai Bin, president of the China Tourism Academy, said on Saturday. A total of 3.98 billion trips are expected to be made in 2022, nearly 70 percent of that in 2019. Local leisure activities, short-term trips, self-guiding trips, family trips and cultural-experience trips will become new trends in 2022.
Chinese domestic air travel cost rises 12.5% to USD 117.3 in 2021
An industry report by OTA Tongcheng shows that the average per-trip cost for Chinese domestic air travel at RMB 747.7 (USD 117.3) in the past year was 12.5% higher than 2020 but still below the 2019 level. The highest average airfare surpassing RMB 1000 (USD 157.9) was registered in August, but dipped sharply in November before picking up in December.
China issues guidance on Spring Festival travel rush, warning against excess checks
China's National Development and Reform Commission along with other 14 government agencies issued guidance for the impending 2022 Spring Festival travel rush on Thursday, which stressed the need to keep the national transportation system operating smoothly during the annual migration of Chinese returning to their hometowns for reunions.
Trip.com releases 2022 New Year’s Day holiday travel report
Trip.com released its travel data report for the 2022 New Year’s Day holiday on Monday. Data shows that the first holiday of the new year showed short-distance trips are still the main choice for users, despite current domestic epidemic prevention and control measures. Nearly 60% of provincial travel orders were placed. The number of short-distance trips increased by 238% compared with New Year’s Day in 2020.
Singapore Airlines to operate daily Beijing flights for Winter Olympics
Singapore Airlines will operate daily flights between Singapore and Beijing from Jan 21 to Mar 16 next year, for officials and athletes who are attending the Winter Olympics. This comes after an annual top-level bilateral meeting between Singapore and China on Wednesday, when Transport Minister S Iswaran said that the airline will operate chartered flights to support the Games.
Amadeus-connected travel sellers will be able to access flight content of Greater Bay Airlines
Newly established and headquartered in Hong Kong, Greater Bay Airlines is taking the next step in its growth strategy after obtaining its AOC (Air Operator’s Certificate) on 8th October, 2021. The carrier has signed an agreement with Amadeus to make its schedules and fares available to travel agencies worldwide via the Amadeus Travel Platform in the first quarter of 2022. Flights will commence in the same quarter, subject to regulatory approvals.
Hong Kong bans flights over Covid threat
Chief Executive Carrie Lam said the government will re-impose strict anti-epidemic measures in Hong Kong to try to ward off a large-scale Covid-19 outbreak involving the Omicron variant, such as re-introducing a ban on dine-in services at restaurants from 6pm, ordering the closure of venues such as bars and karaoke parlours and suspending flights from eight countries including the UK and the US.
Genting cancels two casino cruises due to Hong Kong Covid measures
Dream Cruises, a brand of casino cruise ship operator Genting Hong Kong, says it has been forced to cancel a two-night sailing scheduled to leave Hong Kong on Friday, due to that city’s government imposing with effect from Friday, a 14-day tightening of social-distancing measures.
