Roundup

RISE IN VISITOR SPENDING

The total spending of visitors to Macao, excluding gaming expenses, surged by 127.1 percent year-on-year to 14.98 billion patacas ($1.86 billion) in the first quarter of 2023, the special administrative region's statistics department said last week. The latest report from Macao's Statistics and Census Service said the surge was driven by an uplift of 163.7 percent in visitor arrivals. Total spending of overnight visitors and same-day visitors leapt by 131.5 percent and 108.7 percent year-on-year to 12.34 billion patacas and 2.64 billion patacas, respectively, the report showed. Visitors spent primarily on shopping, accommodation, and food and beverage in the first quarter.

JUMP IN DISNEYLAND REVENUE

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort said in mid-May that its 2022 revenue jumped 31 percent as the number of domestic visitors to its attractions hit a new record, helping the company shrug off the effects of pandemic-related restrictions. Revenue for the 52-week year ending on Oct 1, 2022 grew to HK$2.2 billion ($280.29 million), with the net loss narrowing to HK$2.1 billion from a HK$2.4 billion loss a year ago, the resort said in a statement. Total attendance reached 3.4 million, coming mostly from local tourists during the pandemic.

RESUMED FLIGHT ROUTE

China Southern Airlines officially resumed its passenger air services between the city of Dalian in Northeast China's Liaoning province and Japan's Nagoya last week. The route was halted for three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The airline is currently the only operator of direct passenger flights between the two cities, according to its Dalian branch. The route operates twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Following the lifting of travel restrictions, China Southern Airlines' Dalian branch said it would continue its efforts to resume international flights to provide convenience for passengers.

NEW NATIONAL RESORTS

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has recently added three scenic sites to the national tourist resorts list. The three newcomers are the Suqian Luoma Lake Resort in East China's Jiangsu province, the Beihai Yintan national tourist resort in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region in South China and Dongyu Island in Boao of Qionghai, Hainan province in South China. Currently, there are 63 national tourist resorts across China. The ministry supports them in infrastructure construction, public services, and brand building and promotion.

GRAND OPENING

JW Marriott Hotel Xi'an opened its doors on Wednesday in the capital city of Northwest China's Shaanxi province. Incorporating the beauty of the ancient city of Xi'an with the sophistication and luxury of the JW Marriott brand, the hotel offers considerate services and a commitment to holistic well-being, empowering guests to foster connections and revitalize their mind, body and spirit, according to a hotel statement.

Agencies - China Daily