China vows to better facilitate cross-border travel; Airlines to resume more international flights | Daily Brief
12/21/2022|5:28:41 PM|ChinaTravelNews

China vows to provide more convenience for cross-border travel when appropriate

>> China will provide more convenience for cross-border travelers when appropriate, a spokesperson at the Chinese foreign ministry said on Wednesday at a regular press briefing. The remarks came after a question about any plans China has to improve its quarantine policy for overseas travelers. 

China’s travel industry expects ‘year of abundance’, but misfortune isn’t over yet

>> An immediate recovery in China's travel market did not follow the removal of travel restrictions, and widespread outbreaks have forced many people to stay home to recuperate or simply limit their exposure. Despite the downturn, which is expected to last a few weeks as Covid-19 continues to spread, travel industry insiders are finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel after the sector has been buffeted for three years. 

Chinese airlines to resume more international flights in January

>> China's relaxation of Covid policies is sparking a recovery in the world's largest aviation market. The nation's "big three" airlines have resumed 136 international flights since the start of December. While China's borders remain closed to tourists, the airlines said there is strong demand from students, business travelers and others with long-term visas. 

Hong Kong holds mega fam to ignite travel recovery

>> With travel restrictions eased, Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) initiated a mega fam trip that brought 60 travel trade representatives from Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore to shore, showcasing the destination’s latest tourism draws and winter festivities. The event, which ran from December 13 to 17, set a milestone in Hong Kong’s return to tourism normality since the start of the pandemic.

Hong Kong to drop Covid test for bars, entertainment venues

>> People in Hong Kong will from Thursday no longer need to show a negative Covid-19 test to get into bars and restaurants while cinemas and performing venues will be allowed to operate at full capacity, health authorities said. Cinemas and performing venues will be allowed to operate at full capacity. 

Hong Kong airport’s Robobus offers glimpse of driverless future

>> Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) is ready to use driverless buses, confident it can shuttle passengers around the aerodrome from 2023 after extensive trials that have been years in the making. By bolting on cameras, sensors and tracking devices, the Asian financial hub’s main airport has adapted and kitted out an electric bus from Chinese carmaker BYD and been testing so-called Level 4 autonomous technology.

China's westernmost and first ultra-high altitude airport in Xinjiang to open 

>> China Southern Airlines will open a round-trip air route between Urumqi, capital of Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and the county of Tashkurgan on Friday, which signals that Tashkurgan Khunjerab airport - China's westernmost airport and the first Xinjiang airport of ultra-high altitude - is set to officially open to traffic, according to a post on the WeChat account of the air carrier's Xinjiang subsidiary on Tuesday.   

Sands China presents its vision and investment for the next decade in Macao

>> With the signing of a new 10-year gaming concession in Macao complete, Sands China, a majority-owned subsidiary of Las Vegas Sands outlined its vision for the company's next ten years in Macao. During a press conference, the company outlined both a broad financial commitment to Macao over the next decade, as well as highlighting some key areas of investment. The company has pledged to spend MOP 30 billion (USD 3.75 billion) through 2032 on both capital and operating projects, including MOP 27.8 billion (USD 3.5 billion) in non-gaming projects that will also appeal to international visitors.

Chinese villages recognized among Best Tourism Villages of 2022 by UNWTO

>> Dazhai Village in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Jingzhu Village in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality have been named among the Best Tourism Villages of 2022 by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).