China’s Hainan announces airport upgrade, tunnel plan to enhance transport links with the Greater Bay Area
>> China’s southernmost island province of Hainan has issued a draft plan to strengthen transport links with the Greater Bay Area, aimed at turning the nascent free-trade port into a transport hub for the south of the country.
The draft transport plan, which was issued by the provincial government in Haikou last week, has proposed developing the Haikou Meilan International Airport into a global aviation hub covering the Pacific and Indian Oceans, with a target of 60 million passengers per year by 2035 and 100 million by 2050.
Swire Properties partners with China Tourism Group Duty Free to develop retail project in Chinese beach city Sanya
>> Swire Properties will partner with state-owned China Tourism Group Duty Free Corporation Limited (CTG Duty Free), the world’s largest duty-free operator, to develop a retail landmark in Hainan province, as the Chinese free-trade port chases more tourists and investments.
Swire and CDF Investment & Development Co. Ltd (CDFID), a subsidiary under CTG Duty Free, have established a joint venture company and successfully acquired a site via a government land listing-for-sale for RMB 1.308 billion (US$179 million). The joint venture will develop the site into a premium, resort-style, retail-led complex with underground parking and other ancillary facilities, which is expected to be completed in phases from 2024, according to Swire. Swire and CTG Duty Free will each hold a 50% interest in the project.
China’s XPeng moves closer to launching a robotaxi network
>> Chinese luxury EV startup XPeng is moving forward on its plans to launch a robotaxi business. The company’s latest G9 SUV became China’s first mass-produced commercial vehicle to pass a government-led autonomous driving closed-field test, the company said Monday at its fourth annual 1024 Tech Day. XPeng also revealed an upgraded design for its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) flying car, which is being developed by affiliate XPeng Aeroht.
Radisson Hotel Group launches new loyalty program
>> Radisson Hotel Group’s (RHG) upgraded Radisson Rewards loyalty program promises to fast-track guests towards exclusive benefits and advance VIP members to the highest tier twice as fast as before. Benefits include in-stay privileges such as complimentary upgrades, F&B discounts and additional experiences, as well as post-stay benefits such as the option to make a stay carbon-neutral by redeeming points to offset the footprint of their stay.
Emperor Entertainment Hotel warns of MOP161.8 million half-year loss
>> Emperor Entertainment Hotel Limited has warned that it could have lost about MOP161.8 million (US$21 million) in profits in the six months to 30 September 2022 due to a poor business environment and expenses associated with staff, according to a filing to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The Hong Kong-listed group attributed the loss partly to the fact that its money-losing casino operations were still running during that Covid-battered period.
Chase Sapphire Lounge by the Club opens at Hong Kong International Airport
>> The new Priority Pass lounge at Hong Kong International Airport – branded Chase Sapphire Lounge by the Club – opens on 25 October. The new branding came about as part of a wider Airport Dimensions and Chase relationship, with the opportunity to take over an existing The Club Lounge in Hong Kong and incorporate it into the broader Sapphire Lounge by The Club network.
600 fairs and MICE events to take place in Macao next year
>> Macao Association of Convention, Exhibition and Tourism Sectors President Ho Hoi Meng says that Macau will play host to as many as 600 exhibitions next year to compensate for a loss of MICE events caused by the Covid-19 outbreak earlier this year. If held successfully, the number would also be 30% higher than this year.
Hong Kong MEGA SHOW is set to return in November 2022
>> After almost three years’ suspension of physical international trade shows in Hong Kong, the 2022 MEGA SHOW returns to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 15-18 November 2022 to meet the sourcing needs of international buyers as the COVID-19 pandemic recedes.
With trending products from China’s mainland, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Bangladesh, India, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Turkey and Vietnam, etc., MEGA SHOW is set to be one of the most anticipated shows in Asia this November for international buyers to source and keep track of the latest global market trend.
