China seeks more direct US flights and aims to widen global use of C919
China's civil aviation industry aims to promote a significant increase in direct flights between China and the US, and promote the operation of the domestically manufactured C919 in more countries, as part of new moves to further lift air travel. Expanding overseas flights is among the national civil aviation regulator's priorities.
$1.4 billion Legoland Shanghai project to open early next year
Legoland Shanghai Resort, the international IP-based theme park operated by British entertainment group Merlin Entertainments Ltd, is set to open in the spring or summer of 2025. It is expecting 3 to 5 million visitors per year. A tourism boom has fueled the theme park market in China.
Thailand airport chief expects 8 million Chinese visitors this year
Airport chief of Thailand expects the Thai-Chinese visa-free agreement will help bring 8 million Chinese visitors to the country this year, or about 70% of the record total set in 2019, says president Kerati. In 2019, Thailand welcomed a record 11.1 million Chinese visitors. However, the 2023 numbers fell short of the 4.5 to 5 million forecast, with only 3.5 million Chinese travelers.
China Eastern Airlines to introduce Nanjing to Kuching, Kota Kinabalu direct flights earliest June
China Eastern Airlines will introduce a new route from Nanjing to Sabah and Sarawak in June, offering flights between Kota Kinabalu and Kuching, said Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing. According to Malaysia’s Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister, this makes this flight the first direct flight between Sarawak and China after several years.
Shiji Group appoints COO as international CEO
China's hospitality technology group Shiji said it appointed the company's COO Kevin King as CEO of Shiji International. Mr. King will continue to serve as COO while driving Shiji’s strategic initiatives, fostering innovation, and maintaining the company’s competitive edge as international CEO.
China's 'ice city' Harbin draws record tourists over New Year holiday
The "ice city" of Harbin, the snowy capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang province, attracted a record number of visitors over the New Year holiday, many of them drawn by the grand and intricate ice sculptures of its annual Ice and Snow Festival. This year's festival helped draw 3.05 million visitors to Harbin during the three-day New Year holiday that ended on Monday, generating 5.91 billion yuan ($826 million) in tourism revenue, state media agency Xinhua reported on Wednesday.
Hong Kong’s retail sales rise by 15.9% in November as tourism continues to bounce back
Hong Kong’s retail sales rose by 15.9% in November last year compared with the same month in 2022, official figures released on Thursday showed, growth the government attributed to the revival of inbound tourism. Sales in November reached HK$34.2 billion (US$4.38 billion), marking the twelfth consecutive month of improvement, according to provisional figures released by the Census and Statistics Department.
Sands China announces discretionary bonus and salary increase for 99% of employees
Sands China has become the second Macau concessionaire to announce plans for a discretionary bonus, with eligible employees comprising around 99% of the company’s workforce to receive the payment – equal to a month’s salary – on 31 January. Eligible employees will also receive a salary increase from 1 March 2024.
Marriott-branded hotels will anchor sprawling Beijing convention center complex
Marriott International is planning to add two more luxury hotels in Beijing as part of its continued expansion across China. The Bethesda hotel giant said this week that it has struck an agreement with Beijing North Star Co. Limited, a state-owned real estate conglomerate, to open a new Ritz-Carlton - its third in the capital city - and a new Marriott Marquis that will both be part of the second phase of the city's sprawling convention center complex.
China has been an important growth market for Marriott, with the company adding an average of 40 new hotels a year in the country over the past three years. It now operates more than 500 hotels, across more than 20 brands, in over 100 cities throughout China.
China's Loong Air lands new investor ahead of IPO
At the 10th-anniversary celebration of its passenger service at the end of 2023, Zhejiang-based Loong Air announced that ICBC Investment invested 600 million yuan in the company as the last round of financing before the carrier's planned listing. The airline plans to restructure its shares in 2024 to prepare for an IPO application, with hopes to be listed on the A-share market the year after.
