Trip.com launches free Shanghai city tours for international travelers
Trip.com Group has launched “Shanghai Express”, a free layover city tour, to show travelers the top highlights of Shanghai before their next flight – all within a few hours. Starting on 15 April 2024, international travelers stopping by the Shanghai Pudong International Airport for over eight hours will have the opportunity to take part in these layover city tours – the first of their kind in Shanghai. Visitors don’t have to worry about researching where to go and how either, as these tours take charge of everything: airport pick-up and send-off, attraction tickets, e-sim cards, and more.
International cruise ship carrying over 1,800 tourists arrives in China's Tianjin
Cruise ship Serenade of the Seas docked at Tianjin International Cruise Home Port in north China's port city of Tianjin on Sunday morning, with over 1,800 tourists from 50 countries and regions aboard. Tianjin International Cruise Home Port has welcomed 22 cruise ships and seen 68,000 tourist visits so far this year.
Vietjet to open direct route between HCMC and China's Xi'an
After two routes to Shanghai and Chengdu, budget carrier Vietjet will open another direct route to China, between Ho Chi Minh City and Xi'an City, from April 29. Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi province, served as the capital for 13 dynasties in China. It is renowned as the birthplace of the splendid Chinese civilization.
Air China to begin operations in Cuba
China's flagship airline, Air China, will start operations in Cuba in May, according to official sources. Joel Beltrán Archer Santos, president of the Cuban Civil Aviation Corporation S.A., made that remark after meeting with Chinese executives.
Big three Chinese airlines extend losing streak as rivals rise after COVID
China's big three state-owned airlines China Southern Airlines, Air China and China Eastern Airlines recently logged total net losses of 13.3 billion yuan ($1.87 billion) for 2023. All three have now posted net losses for four straight years. Three Shanghai-listed second-tier carriers -- Hainan Airlines, Spring Airlines and Juneyao Airlines -- have yet to report their full-year results but issued profit guidance saying that they would post positive net figures between 300 million yuan and 2.4 billion yuan for 2023.
Efforts to make travel to China easier result in uptick in visits
China's inbound tourism has steadily recovered in recent months after the central government stepped up efforts to optimize entry policies from the end of last year. Yang Jinsong, director of the International Institute at the China Tourism Academy, said though the inbound tourism market has improved, it still needs time to see sustainable growth.
Vloggers boost China’s soft power
Recent surveys show a division in views about China, with a general trend of unfavorable opinions in high-income countries, but more favorable views in the ASEAN region. The role of vloggers and travelers in reshaping perceptions of China is highlighted, contrasting with the narratives from Western media. These independent vloggers, often from countries with anti-China sentiment, share their firsthand experiences in China, challenging stereotypes and negative portrayals.
Banyan Group strengthens multi-branded presence with opening in Suzhou
Banyan Group recently unveiled its first complex in Suzhou, marking a significant milestone in the Group's strategic expansion within China. Philip Ding, Vice President, Head of Regional Operations – China at the Banyan Group, said this is another important step in the Group's strategic expansion in China through enhancement of our cultural and tourism footprint in the Yangtze River Delta region.
