Air links and visas key for China’s outbound travel rebound
Air links and visa issues are identified as key factors contributing to China’s outbound travel rebound in 2024, according to research. With an increasing number of Asian countries lifting visa requirements for Chinese travelers, this shift may potentially impact casinos in the region that heavily depend on Chinese punters. However, 46.8 percent of respondents confess that they are avoiding public holiday periods for outbound travel.
China expands mutual visa cooperation with 23 countries
China has announced a “comprehensive mutual visa cooperation” agreement with 23 countries to enhance tourism and facilitate freer international travel for its citizens. Beijing is actively pursuing visa-free or liberalized visa procedures with various nations to counter the decline in international tourist numbers to China and encourage Chinese citizens to travel abroad more freely.
Thailand could receive 1 million tourists during Chinese New Year
Almost 1 million foreign tourists – mostly from China and Hong Kong – are expected to visit Thailand during the upcoming Chinese New Year next week, according to Alipay+, a cross-border mobile payment and marketing platform. Douglas L Feagin, president of Alipay+, said that those visitors would generate an estimated 28.4 billion baht for the Thai economy during the period.
Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau and China MICE Advisory Group renew partnership
The Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau (ADCEB), part of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), reaffirmed its commitment to further developing the emirate’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector with the renewal of its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the China MICE Advisory Group at a signing ceremony on 21 November at Louvre Abu Dhabi.
Rise in tourist, business travel prompts Cathay Pacific to resume direct HK-CBO flights
After a four-year hiatus Cathay Pacific yesterday resumed direct flights between Hong Kong and Colombo encouraged by an upturn in tourist and business travel. Deploying an Airbus A330-300 that offers 28 fully flat beds in Business class and 265 spacious seats in Economy, Cathay will initially fly thrice a week with departure from Colombo on Fridays, Sundays and Wednesdays. Cathay Pacific Sri Lanka and the Maldives Country Lead Harish Kiran said following the opening of Hong Kong early last year, Colombo is the sixth destination for Cathay Pacific to resume services within South Asia, Middle East and Africa.
South Korea sees more individual or small-group Chinese visitors
The political situation between China and Korea led to a steady increase in the number of Chinese group tours, and many Chinese people visit Korea individually or in small groups. Instead of shopping, young travelers focus on personal experiences. South Korea has decided to prolong the visa fee exemption initiative for Chinese group travelers.
Taiwan aims for 12 million visitors in 2024
Taiwan's Tourism Administration has set a target for 12 million tourist arrivals in 2024, according to Transportation Minister Wang Kwo-tsai in a Transport Ministry press conference on Wednesday. Wang says that the reopening of group tours for Chinese visitors and organized trips for Taiwanese tourists to travel to China will start on March 1, and noted that the government is committed to maintaining this schedule.
Tourism Malaysia eyeing over five million tourists from China in 2024
Tourism Malaysia is actively strategizing to reach a five-fold target of more than five million tourists from China this year, said its Director-General Datuk Dr Ammar Abd Ghapar. He said the strategy included increasing flight frequencies from China and encouraging new airlines in the country to consider promoting Malaysia as a top destination of choice.
Chinese duty-free market stages recovery
Chinese duty-free market is showing welcome signs of recovery after a disappointing 2023. The Year of the Dragon has started with a welcome roar for the Asia Pacific travel retail market, much to the relief of a wider travel retail business traditionally reliant on the region for much of its revenue. A flurry of positive retailer sales announcements, store openings, major spirit launches and high-profile promotional activations in the first month of the year augur well for a meaningful regional recovery during the rest of 2024.
