Shanghai Disney partially reopens
>> The Shanghai Disney Resort has said it will reopen some of the shopping, dining and entertainment options on Monday, though the main theme park will remain closed to prevent further spread of the coronavirus.
Walt Disney Co. owns a 43% stake in the Shanghai park. It is one of four Disney-branded theme parks in Asia, alongside one in Hong Kong, which has also remained shut since late January, and two in Tokyo.
Trip.com launches travel presales
>> Online travel giant Trip.com Group announced a travel revival plan by investing RMB 1 billion (USD 144 million) with hundreds of destinations and some 10,000 tourism suppliers.
To deal with the impact of the outbreak, Trip.com has launched presales of admissions to some 300 scenic spots, air tickets, accommodation and tour packages for 1,000 tourist routes which can be used anytime within the year.
Google loses travel ad revenue in outbreak
>> Google, the largest recipient of travel industry's digital ad spend, is likely to take a hit in its massive advertising business. The search giant's travel ad income grew 10% before the coronavirus outbreak, but now travel revenue should fall to negative 6.7% in the first quarter and negative 10.2% in the second quarter, according to Merrill Lynch analyst Justin Post.
Online travel giants Expedia Group and Booking Holdings disbursed a record USD 11 billion on marketing in 2019, up from USD 10.6 billion the year before.
Hong Kong Airlines seeks lifeline from Air China
>> Hong Kong Airlines has turned to Air China and other parties for a strategic lifeline to reverse its financial woes, amid an impasse with a consortium of white knights after nearly nine months of fruitless negotiations, said three sources familiar with the matter.
The airline said it does not disclose its financial activities, or comment on rumors and speculation, but it's “always open to strong strategic investors”.
ITB launches virtual convention
>> Despite its cancellation this year, ITB is offering digital services 365 days a year by launching itb.com. The world’s leading travel trade show is establishing a completely new networking platform for the travel industry.
This global website spans a bridge between real-life meetings and digital networking and features innovative tools for business, networking, and exclusive content.
White House mulls tax breaks for travel businesses
>> The Trump administration is weighing tax relief for airline, cruise and travel industries to help such companies cope with a growing coronavirus outbreak that has dried up bookings.
Virus decreases Chinese tourism to Netherlands
>> The outbreak of coronavirus is leading to a sharp downturn in Chinese tourists to the Netherlands, according to Dutch tourist board NBTC.
The organization said earlier it expected 300,000 Chinese tourists to visit the Netherlands this year, down from 380,000 in 2019. But the impact of coronavirus, which has led to a suspension of most direct flights to China, will further depress the figures.
Every month that air traffic to and from China is halted, the European tourism sector misses out on 1 billion euros, the European Commission calculated.
Virus-quarantine hotel collapses
>> At least 10 people are dead and 23 remain missing after a hotel being used as a coronavirus quarantine facility in the Chinese city of Quanzhou collapsed on Saturday. Seventy-one people were in the building when it collapsed and dozens have been rescued, authorities say.
