Northern Mariana Islands adversely affected by ban on Chinese airlines
>> Already on its knees due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Northern Marianas tourism industry has received another blow with the recent ban on Chinese airlines flying to the US. China is one of the key tourism markets of the CNMI, alongside South Korea and Japan. The suspension order would affect Chinese airlines that serviced Saipan before the COVID-19 pandemic put international travel to a screeching halt.
China issues travel warning for Australia as relationship sours
>> China has issued an alert warning its citizens not to travel to Australia in the latest sign of deteriorating relations. The Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism published a statement on its website saying that discrimination and violent behavior against Chinese and Asians are on the rise due to the COVID-19 epidemic. The ministry told Chinese tourists to be on alert for their safety and not travel to Australia. China is the biggest tourism spenders for Australia. From 2009-2019, the number of Chinese tourists to Australia increased by 297%, according to the China Tourism Academy.
Hong Kong eases travel restrictions - but only for business elite
>> Hong Kong is lifting restrictions on travel to mainland China - but only for premiere business executives and the easing of mandatory quarantine only works one-way. Hong Kong government said that two directors or executives per company will be eligible to travel from mainland China to Hong Kong every month for "essential business activities". Executives arriving in Hong Kong from mainland China will be exempt from the city's mandatory two-week quarantine.
HNA's Swissport says Belgium unit to file for bankruptcy
>> Swissport Belgium, a loss-making unit of Swissport International which provides ground services at Brussels airport, will file for bankruptcy after attempts to turn around the business failed, Swissport said on Monday. Swissport, owned by China’s HNA Group, is the world’s largest provider of airport ground services and air cargo handling with operations at 300 airports in 47 countries.
Skyscanner: European LCCs to shift from discounting to value-based pricing
>> Skyscanner senior director of pricing Stella Penso said she does not expect discounting by European LCCs to stimulate traffic is sustainable, and the company expects their focus will shift towards more value-based pricing where power will come from flexibility, safety and trust. Without a COVID-19 vaccine,these factors will become increasingly important for travelers and may allow travel providers to charge more of a premium.
Hong Kong travel agencies are preparing for the return of tourism
>> The extension of restrictions on movement in and out of Hong Kong has not stopped travel agencies from making preparations for the day when tourism can finally return, while COVID-19 continues to stifle the industry. Hong Thai Travel Services is already offering 20% discounts for its “early bird packages” starting from September to the first quarter of 2021, to far-flung destinations such as Dubai and Slovenia.
Lionsgate's vertical theme park set for China re-opening
>> Lionsgate announced a June 24 re-opening of its critically-acclaimed world's first vertical theme park in Novotown on China's Henqin Island near Hong Kong and Macau. The park features one-of-a-kind immersive attractions based on such motion picture blockbusters as The Hunger Games, The Twilight Saga, Now You See Me and more.
TripurX Tech signs online marketing partnership with China Duty Free Group
>> Shopping and tourism platform TripurX Tech has signed a new renewable one-year contract with China Duty Free Group (CDFG) to enhance the Chinese travel retailer’s online promotion capabilities. The TripurX platform is integrating CDFG’s airport duty free e-shops and selected other stores to provide engagement services for over 4 million Chinese travellers from major cities.
