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Singapore Residents’ Year End and Lunar New Year travel spending hit new highs: Visa

Representative Image Visa, shared that Singapore residents continue to prioritise travel, with outbound spending surging in December last year, as well as the recent Lunar New Year holiday week. In fact, travel spend by Singapore consumers for December and January hit record levels. Supported by a strong Singapore dollar, cross-border spending remains robust across key travel corridors, with notable shifts in consumer travel and spending patterns. Shopping and Dining Remain Top Spend Categories during December Year-End Travel Visa's data highlights that shopping and dining remain top priorities for Singapore travellers, accounting for 61 per cent of their travel spend, while lodging and airline bookings saw strong year-on-year growth as consumers plan ahead for travel. Retail spend recorded a 14 per cent year-on-year increase, while spending on restaurants and fast food surged by 27 and 30 per cent, respectively. These figures underscore the enduring appeal of overseas shopping and dining experiences for Singapore travellers. Malaysia, Japan, and Thailand have emerged as the leading travel corridors for cross-border outbound spending, closely followed by South Korea and Australia during the year-end holidays last year. The implementation of visa-free travel to China has significantly boosted travel demand, resulting in an 86 per cent year-on-year increase in travel spend in China. This reflects a broader trend of increased regional travel, facilitated by relaxed entry requirements and strong economic ties. Malaysia has always been the top travel destination for Singapore residents all-year round. Based on Visa's International Travel platform, the top cities that Singaporeans visited include Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Cameron Highlands, Bangkok, Bali and Kota Tinggi (Johor). Last year, Singapore travellers' card spending in Japan also grew 138 per cent compared to pre-pandemic levels. Visa's data also highlighted the evolving destination preferences for Singapore residents. Compared to December 2023, Japan and Thailand have secured their place as key travel destinations, while long-haul markets such as the UK, US, and France continue to attract high-spending travellers. South Korea and Thailand are also emerging as healthcare-driven travel destinations, with increasing numbers of Singapore residents seeking medical services abroad. In fact, South Korea saw a 58 per cent rise in healthcare-related travel spending. Japan and Thailand experienced the highest travel spend growth, recording 42 and 29 per cent year-on-year increase respectively. Meanwhile, Malaysia saw the strongest growth in food and groceries spending at 75 per cent year-on-year, reinforcing its position as a key travel and consumption hub. "Travel continues to be a key category of spend for Visa cardholders in Singapore. Based on a Visa study, travel is a top priority for Singapore travellers, surpassing other big-ticket spending items such as vehicles, property, healthcare and luxury goods in terms of importance. This finding is aligned with what we're seeing from our data, where there is strong cross-border spend growth during year-end and festive periods. We continue to see interest in consumers using cards that can earn airline miles for their spend, and other propositions such as zero FX and multi-currency offerings. With the vast data that we see, we can work with our partners to share these key insights and create relevant benefits for our cardholders, making the payment experience seamless and secure when they travel and pay with Visa", said Adeline Kim, Visa Country Manager for Singapore & Brunei. As travel planning becomes more strategic, Singapore travellers are making early bookings to manage costs and secure better deals. Spending on alternative airline carriers, including European and Middle Eastern airlines, rose by 15 per cent year-on-year, indicating a growing preference for diverse flight options. In addition, online lodging bookings increased by 16 per cent year-on-year in December last year. Top travel destinations during Lunar New Year holiday similar to year-end of 2024 The top travel destinations during this year's Lunar New Year holiday are similar to the year-end break, with the exception of Indonesia taking the fourth spot, replacing South Korea. During the Lunar New Year holiday week, Singapore travellers took the opportunity to spend the week travelling, with a strong spike in cross-border spend at 22 per cent growth compared to the week of Lunar New Year in 2024. eCommerce spend also grew by close to 30 per cent compared to the previous year during the festive period, showing that people were spending more to purchase online, given this year's Lunar New Year coincides with 2 February. Malaysia continues to be the top travel corridor, with payments volume growing at 57 per cent compared to the previous Lunar New Year week. The top growing category in Malaysia was jewellery stores, showing over 220 per cent growth compared to the previous year. Japan comes in second as a preferred destination for Singaporeans. During this ski season, Visa saw a 36 per cent growth on cross-border spend compared to the same festive period the year before. Thailand's healthcare spend also grew at over 59 per cent.

Surge in China inbound and outbound travel spending for 2025 Chinese New Year: Alipay

Shopping malls in Malaysia welcome Chinese tourists with special discounts on Alipay. During the 2025 Chinese New Year, Alipay recorded a significant increase in China’s outbound and inbound travel spending. Outbound travel: Visa-free and long-haul travel destinations saw a surge in Alipay spending while Chinese tourists sought local experiences. Through the Alipay+ cross-border mobile payment and digitalization solutions, Chinese travellers, along with users of the other 34 e-wallets in Asia and Europe, can use their own home payment app across 66 markets without the need to exchange currency or carry cash. Global Alipay+ merchants have joined Alipay in an exclusive CNY campaign to lure travellers during the country's longest national holiday. From January 28th to 30th, the number of transactions made by Alipay users in overseas destinations increased by 30% compared to the same period last year. Friendlier visa policies in major destinations bring substantive impact. In Singapore, total spending of Alipay rose by 56% year-on-year, making the Garden City the most popular destination. Japan also emerged as a favored spot, with a 40% increase in Alipay spending, driven by eased visa policies and a weakened yen. Malaysia, Hong Kong SAR, and South Korea also rank among the top five destinations. Long-haul travel rebounded. Alipay users made 30% more transactions in Europe over CNY 2024. In addition to traditionally popular destinations like the UK, France, and Italy, emerging destinations such as Switzerland, Austria, and Turkey also saw a notable rise in number of transactions. Thanks to Alipay+'s diverse global merchant network, Chinese tourists are increasingly seeking more personalized and local experience. Beyond shopping and entertainment, Alipay spending in cosmetic surgery rose by 449% year-on-year. Food spending via Alipay also shows a varied pattern, with spending on meals, snacks, and desserts increasing by 33%, 36%, and 54%, respectively. Greater interest in immersive local travel trends also drives local transportation usage. Total Alipay spending on overseas bus, subway and ride-hailing trips grew by 139% year-on-year. Inbound travel: Visa-Free policies and new payment options drew international travellers to China to experience CNY traditions With China’s recent visa-free policy updates, Alipay has launched new campaigns to double the number of Chinese merchants accepting payments with international card-enabled Alipay accounts and a total of 13 overseas e-wallets. Through Alipay’s expanded partnerships with Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover®, Diners Club International®, and UnionPay International, travellers can link their international credit or debit card to their Alipay e-wallet for seamless payments and diverse digital services such as ride-hailing, hotel bookings, and purchasing plane and train tickets in China. Between January 28th and February 1st, travellers spent 150% more using Alipay at merchants across the Chinese mainland over 2024. Spending from visa-free origins rose by 200% year-on-year. Since September 2023, the Alipay+ solutions have supported 13 leading payment apps in Asia to serve their roaming users across Alipay’s 80-million-strong merchant network in China. During the first four days of the CNY holiday, the number of overseas e-wallet users making payments in China increased by 94% year-on-year. AlipayHK users topped the list, followed by Malaysia’s Touch ’n Go e-Wallet, Macao SAR’s MPay, Kazakhstan’s Kaspi.kz, and Thailand’s TrueMoney. China native: New digital traditions drive consumer enthusiasm Alipay has been expanding the Fortune Cards Campaign ecosystem to help merchants enhance consumer interactions since 2016 In China, Alipay’s flagship Fortune Cards Campaign has become a new tradition for celebrating the Chinese New Year. Users collect digital fortune cards for good wishes and potential monetary rewards. With 28 sets of fortune cards—from Marvel heroes to Pop Mart stars—this year’s campaign has attracted 600 million participants. Utilizing technologies such as AR, AI, and Alipay Tap!, it continues to help merchants of all sizes—from street vendors to major brands—enhance consumer interactions. Now in its tenth year, the campaign has cumulatively reached over one billion users.

Fliggy presents its travel insights for the Lunar New Year / Spring Festival

With the Lunar New Year celebrations in full-swing, Alibaba Group’s online travel platform Fliggy released its key insights regarding seasonal travel for this year among the Chinese. Cultural tourism, in particular came to the fore as UNESCO recently recognised this year’s Lunar New Year / Spring Festival celebrations among its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Indeed, experiential tourism focussed on cultural experiences rose by around 40 percent compared to last year, with travellers seeking trips to heritage sites or immersive activities. There was also a 36 percent increase in terms of tickets purchased for folk performances, half of which were booked by families or friend groups. Speaking of family, most Chinese travellers opted for outings that celebrate cultural heritage. Among the most popular seasonal activities were attendance at lantern festivals and temple fairs, donning traditional attire, rice cake making, and firework displays. Longer leaves = more holiday time Fliggy also noted that many travellers extended their holiday trips because of more favourable leave policies implemented by companies. Encouraged by leave policies that allow as many as an extra two days off for an 11-day holiday, travelers chose to go on longer trips. This subsequently led to a ten percent increase in terms of per capita spending compared to last year, and the average length of stay increased by around five percent. Also, highway toll exemptions paved the way for a significant increase in the number of self-driving trips, chartered tours, and customized tours during the holiday. Where people went on their holiday Top travel spots for the Lunar New Year include Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Xi’an, Nanjing, and Wuhan. Likewise, cities like Jingdezhen, Zhaoqing, Ili, Altay, Kaifeng, Huangshan, Ulanqab, Meizhou, Ganzhou, and Zunyi are experiencing rapid visitor growth. For those heading overseas, Hong Kong (SAR), Macau (SAR), East Asia, and Southeast Asia were among the favoured destinations, followed by the United States, Australia, and France. Interestingly, there was a notable increase in those flying off to Hungary, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Iceland, and Austria.

Malaysia celebrates tourist arrivals for Chinese New Year festivities

As part of promoting the exciting Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign, this year’s vibrant Chinese New Year celebrations were further enlivened by welcoming events for domestic and international tourists at four major airports across the country. At Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 today, Mr Lee Thai Hung, Deputy Director General (Promotion II) of Tourism Malaysia, representing YB Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture; presented mandarin oranges and souvenirs to tourists at the Arrival Hall. Also in attendance were representatives from the Malaysian Inbound Chinese Association (MICA), Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), and airlines. The celebrations came alive as Mr Lee Thai Hung and distinguished guests joined the “yee sang” tossing tradition, a symbolic gesture of abundance and prosperity. Tourists were then captivated by the sights and sounds of Malaysian traditional dances, followed by the energetic lion dance, a hallmark of Chinese New Year festivities. Adding to the charm, the VM2026 mascots - Wira and Manja, made a delightful appearance, further enhancing the festive atmosphere. In addition to KLIA, similar welcoming events for tourists were also held at Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas, Penang; Kota Kinabalu International Airport in Sabah; and Kuching International Airport in Sarawak.

Seamless payments via Alipay+ boost global travel for the Lunar New Year

Right on time for the Lunar New Year, Alipay+ teamed up with leading global merchants to launch exclusive campaigns for those travelling during the festive season. In Singapore, for example, Alipay+’s collaboration with the Singapore Tourism Board lets travellers purchase discounted vouchers for use with taxis or at shopping malls and attractions. In Switzerland, on the other hand, the Geneva Tourism Board is using Alipay+ to enhance the travel experience for tourists coming to the country. At present, Alipay+ supports more than 35 international wallet and bank payment partners, connecting 1.6 billion user accounts to more than 90 million merchants in 66 markets. According to Douglas Feagin, president of Alipay+ parent firm Ant International: “Tourism is playing an increasingly significant role in local economies, accelerating growth for merchants across sectors, but businesses need to adapt to new digital habits and preferences. Starting with mobile payments, Alipay+ offers merchants solutions to connect, engage and retain customers who want to leverage technology to enhance their travel experiences.” Where in the world can people use Alipay+? Alipay+’s partnerships with the likes of Resorts World Sentosa, Marina Bay Sands, Central Retail, King Power, Pavilion KL, and Lotte World have been instrumental in building up both in-store and in-app engagement through enhanced rewards. Those travelling through China can use Alipay and 13 international payment apps to make seamless payments. Those using platforms like AlipayHK, Mpay, Touch ‘n Go eWallet, TrueMoney, and GCash have access to seasonal offers from more than a hundred Consumer Friendly Zones in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Likewise,over two million merchants in South Korea accept Alipay+ whilst offering a number of discounts, while the nationwide NAMANE x Alipay+ Transit Pass Card programme makes it easier for tourists to travel via bus or commuter railway. In Japan, Alipay+ is accepted by more than three million merchants, while in Southeast Asia, users can make payments via DuitNow in Malaysia, SGQR in Singapore, whilst availing of promotions at retailers like Pavilion KL and Central Retail in Thailand. Alipay+ is also expanding its reach in the Philippines via retailers like SM Supermalls and resorts such as Hennan Group of Resorts. The Alipay+ network also expanded recently to include Kazakhstan’s Kaspi.kz and the BigPay platform used in Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.

Malaysia Airlines welcomes the Lunar New Year

Malaysia Airlines is celebrating the upcoming Lunar New Year with specially curated menu and offerings onboard its flights and lounges. The airline has also introduced its new Best of Asia menu which features locally inspired and destination-themed dishes for Business and Economy Class passengers, delivering a memorable and premium in-flight dining experience. From now until 31 January 2025, Business Class passengers can enjoy a delightful festive menu of Steamed Red Snapper with Red Dates and Ginger, whereas Economy Class passengers can savour in Salted Egg Popcorn Chicken, which are available on flights from Kuala Lumpur to Sabah and Sarawak, Regional, and Oriental Sectors. The airline’s Best of Asia menu features the crowd-favourite Korean Fried Chicken, a perfect balance of sweet, savoury flavours and a satisfying crunch. This menu is available for both Business Class and Economy Class passengers travelling on flights from Kuala Lumpur to Incheon from now until 28 February 2025, and on flights to Southeast Asia, Sabah and Sarawak from 1 February 2025. On-ground, Malaysia Airlines is elevating its Golden Lounge dining experience through a year-long festive collaboration with Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur. This collaboration kicks off with an exquisite Chinese New Year menu, offering travellers a taste of prosperity and celebration which is available from 28 January – 5 February 2025. Guests can enjoy an exquisite buffet with Yee Sang tossing sessions on Chinese New Year’s eve and Chinese New Year’s Day at all its Golden Lounges in KLIA. To further enhance its end-to-end premium services, Malaysia Airlines recently introduced a luxury fleet of Mercedes-Benz sedans, including the S 580 e Plug-in Hybrid and all-electric EQS 500 4MATIC, for its Private Terminal Transfer Service. This 24-hours service provides Enrich Platinum, Business Suite and Business Class passengers travelling with Malaysia Airlines to enjoy convenient and premium transfer between KLIA Terminal 1’s Main Terminal and the Satellite Building. To ensure a seamless travel experience during the peak festive period, the airline advises passengers travelling from now until 2 February 2025 to arrive at the airport four (4) hours ahead of their scheduled departure time to allow sufficient time for check-in procedures and the necessary document checks at various touchpoints.

Celebrate Chinese New Year with Wendy Wu Tours

The Great Wall of China is a massive series of fortifications built across northern China over centuries to protect the Chinese Empire from invasions. It one of the most famous landmarks in the world Wendy Wu Tours, the UK’s touring specialist, is thrilled to unveil an exclusive Chinese New Year offer that promises travellers the ultimate luxury on their journey to China. Customers booking select tours can enjoy a complimentary FREE Business Class upgrade on their return flight with Air China or upgrade both ways for just £999 per person. Available for a limited time only, this unprecedented offer is the perfect way to celebrate the Lunar New Year with a trip of a lifetime to one of the world’s most fascinating destinations. The offer is available on some of Wendy Wu Tours’ most popular itineraries, departing between March and June 2025. These meticulously curated tours combine all the must-see sights and hidden gems, delivering an unparalleled immersive experience of China. With forward bookings for China up 70% for 2025 compared to 2024, and a further 40% increase in 2026 bookings, demand is soaring—making this the perfect time to secure your place. Featured Itineraries selection Magnificent China – 22 Days from £4,440 pp. This epic adventure covers China’s iconic highlights, including the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Warriors. The tour also features a cruise along the Yangtze River and visits to the serene landscapes of Guilin and Yangshuo. Perfect for first-time travellers and seasoned explorers alike. China Explorer – 15 Days from £3,990 pp. Delve into the heart of China on this comprehensive tour. Highlights include the futuristic skyline of Shanghai, the historic charm of Beijing, and the stunning landscapes of Zhangjiajie National Park, famed for inspiring the movie Avatar. Majestic Yangtze – 14 Days from £3,440 pp. Experience the breath-taking scenery of the Yangtze River on this captivating tour. Highlights include a visit to the Giant Pandas in Chengdu and exploring the Three Gorges Dam, alongside China’s cultural treasures in Xi’an and Shanghai. Gems of China – 16 Days from £4,140 pp. Discover the lesser-known wonders of China, from the ancient water towns of Suzhou to the picturesque karst mountains of Guilin. This tour blends cultural immersion with stunning natural beauty. In Pursuit of Pandas – 9 Days from £2,740 pp A must for wildlife lovers, this tour focuses on the Giant Pandas of Chengdu, combined with visits to the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and Tiananmen Square for a perfect mix of nature and history. China by Rail – 22 Days from £5,190 pp. Travel in style on China’s high-speed rail network. This tour offers a modern perspective of China, visiting Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai, with a special journey to the scenic Yellow Mountain. Gary King, Head of Trade Sales at Wendy Wu Tours, commented: “As the UK’s leading touring specialist to China, we’re dedicated to offering travellers an unrivalled experience. From the Great Wall to the vibrant streets of Shanghai, our itineraries combine the must-see sights with off-the-beaten-path treasures that truly showcase China’s diversity. This Business Class upgrade offer is an incredible opportunity for agents to provide their customers with unparalleled value and the ultimate travel experience.” Gary continued:“Travelling with Wendy Wu Tours means every detail is expertly handled—from visas to immersive local experiences. With forward bookings for China skyrocketing, and many tours already sold out, now is the time for agents to act fast. This upgrade not only adds a touch of luxury but also enhances the once-in-a-lifetime nature of these journeys. There’s no better way to discover China than with a specialist who ensures you see both its iconic landmarks and its hidden gems.” Limited-Time Offer This incredible promotion is available for new bookings confirmed between Monday, 27 January, and Friday, 31 January 2025, and applies to departures between March and June 2025. With limited availability, travellers are encouraged to act quickly to secure their spot on these sought-after tours. Experience China Like Never Before Specialist touring is the ultimate way to experience China—to live like a local, immerse yourself in authentic culture, and create memories that last a lifetime. With Wendy Wu Tours, every element of your journey is seamlessly arranged, leaving you free to focus on the adventure.

Emirates celebrates the love and luck of Lunar New Year

Celebrating Lunar New Year on the 29 January and heralding the year of the snake, Emirates customers can embrace the luck of the season with curated menus in Emirates lounges in Dubai, Singapore, Bangkok, Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong, enjoy traditional ‘red envelopes’ shared inflight on select routes and relax into the holidays with an array of blockbuster movies onboard, including a selection in Mandarin and Cantonese. Delicious desserts and lucky red envelopes From 28 January to 3 February, Emirates customers on routes between Dubai and Beijing, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai, Singapore and Taipei will be treated to a specially crafted dessert - luscious lychee, rose and raspberry mousse cake, with pâte sablée and white chocolate in First, Business, and Premium Economy Class, and a creamy taro coconut sago with sweetened fruits and red beans in Economy Class. Across some routes, customers in all classes will also receive a traditional red envelope filled with chocolate coins, to share the prosperity of the new year. EmiratesRED Love & Luck Sale Emirates’ inflight customers are invited to celebrate the season of giving with the EmiratesRED onboard sale from 28 January to 28 February 2025. Customers can purchase two or more specially marked items and receive an additional 10% discount on selection of popular duty-free products. EmiratesRED also has an exclusive inflight discount of US$15, when a customer buys two fragrances. Mandarin and Cantonese movies on ice Onboard Emirates, customers travelling for Lunar New Year can get into the holiday spirit with up 22 Mandarin and 13 Cantonese movies including Ride On, All Shall Be Well, Table for Six 2 and We Are Family. Emirates’ ice offers more than 350 Hollywood movies with Chinese subtitles to explore, including new releases Venom: The Last Dance, Wolfs and Lee. Customers can also get in the festive mood with a music library of 115 Chinese albums and 1,000 songs. Celebrate Lunar New Year in Emirates’ Lounges To celebrate the Lunar New Year, Emirates Lounges in Dubai will offer an array of festive fare on the 29 of January. Breakfast in the First and Business Class lounges will feature a classic ‘Cheung Fun’ steamed rice noodle roll stuffed with dried prawn and scallops. At lunch and dinnertime, First Class lounge customers can indulge in a soya glazed beef short ribs from the à la carte menu, while both First and Business Class customers can enjoy scrumptious poached shrimp and vegetable dumplings with soy and vinegar dip, or Chinese rainbow salad with smoked salmon, sesame and soya ginger dressing, or pan-seared Chilean seabass with XO sauce and pak choy. Desserts include a sweet and light strawberry lychee cake or black sesame cake in the First Class lounge, with a tangy yuzu tartlet served with green tea powder available in the Business Class Lounges. Customers can head to the unique old-fashioned Emirates ice-cream cart to enjoy limited edition gourmet Matcha green tea ice cream, made in-house by Emirates chefs. In the Emirates Lounge in Singapore, customers can celebrate the day with tasty Lunar New Year dishes like juicy king prawns infused with fragrant soya, pan fried duck with lemon sauce, followed by orange almond crumble cake, with oranges symbolising good fortune. In the Emirates Lounge in Bangkok, customers will be enticed by chicken soup with the earthy notes of goji berry, assorted dim sum, steamed chicken in a tangy ginger soy sauce, or stir-fried beef in black pepper sauce, followed by a dessert of orange mousse cake or roll orange cake served with a dash of sweet orange cream. In the Emirates Lounge in Beijing, customers can indulge in a sweet and sour Kung pao prawn dish, enjoy the rich savoury flavour of beef dumplings, and celebrate the season with a sweet treat of Eight Treasure rice with lotus seeds, red dates and osmanthus flowers. In the Emirates Lounge of Shanghai, customers will be enticed by a sweet and sour mandarin seabass dish accented with pineapple cubes and pines nuts, or wok fried beef strips in a tempting black pepper sauce, a nourishing chicken soup with wild mushroom and cordyceps flowers, followed by a raspberry mousse cake. In the Emirates Lounge of Hong Kong, China, Lunar New Year dishes will include scallops with broccoli, sea moss and shiitake mushrooms, and traditional rice dumplings in fragrant osmanthus flower soup. All Emirates customers are welcome to enjoy Emirates' Lounges; First Class and Business Class customers can access all lounges on a complimentary basis, as well as Silver, Gold and Platinum Skywards members. Other passengers can experience the lounge starting from US$125, enjoying the facilities for up to four hours before a flight.

China’s holiday exodus underway as Lunar New Year looms

Chinese authorities report that a new record could be set for the annual Lunar New Year migration as train stations and airports reported a peak in traveller numbers over the weekend. With the Year of the Snake slated to begin on Wednesday, 29th January, China’s transport ministry predicts that travel numbers will hit record highs over the next several days. During the traditional 40-day period that covers the time leading up to the holiday, the holiday itself, and at least a week after, some nine billion interprovincial passenger trips on various forms of transport will be made by citizens. Based on that forecast, around 510 million train trips and 90 million air trips are expected during the period. More trains for more passengers China Railway, the country’s national passenger and freight railway company, reports that it added thousands of trains to meet the surge in passenger numbers as of Saturday, 25th January, the main peak at railroad stations. Railway officials explained that data from ticket lists and waiting lists was used to forecast passenger numbers and regulate supply. While train journeys across China used to take up to ten days, modern technology and innovation have significantly decreased travel time and increased comfort for passengers.

Hong Kong Airlines Touches Down on the Gold Coast Just in Time for Lunar New Year

In a highly anticipated move, Hong Kong Airlines has resumed its Australian services after a six-year hiatus. The inaugural flight arrived on the Gold Coast in perfect time for the 2025 Lunar New Year celebrations, marking a significant boost for local tourism and trade. The seasonal service is set to bring 5,000 seats to the Gold Coast over the next four weeks, with flights operating until 15 February. The festive atmosphere at the terminal was electric as lion dancers kicked off the celebrations. Among those present to welcome passengers from the first flight were Queensland Tourism Minister Andrew Powell, Queensland Airports Limited CEO Amelia Evans, and other dignitaries. Tourism Minister Andrew Powell expressed his excitement at the influx of visitors from Hong Kong during the Lunar New Year period, highlighting the positive impact on the local economy and job market. “We are excited to welcome thousands of travellers over this four-week period,” Minister Powell said. “This service is expected to bring $9.14 million in overnight visitor expenditure, supporting up to 90 local jobs.” The seasonal service offers visitors quick and easy access from the tarmac to the beach, presenting an excellent opportunity for the local economy and tourism operators. This initiative is another success story for the $200 million Attracting Aviation Investment Fund. Queensland Airports Limited CEO Amelia Evans was thrilled to welcome Hong Kong Airlines back to the Gold Coast. “We’re delighted to welcome Hong Kong Airlines’ guests to our beautiful city and can’t wait for them to experience the best of an Australian summer across the whole region,” Ms Evans said. She recalled that China was the Gold Coast’s number one international market before the pandemic, attracting more than 300,000 visitors a year. Evans expressed hope that this renewed connection with Hong Kong would pave the way for long-term services across key markets in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and Mainland China. Hong Kong Airlines Chairman Mr Yan Bo celebrated the full flight of passengers on their inaugural voyage. “We are delighted to have a full flight of passengers on our first voyage, with around 300 travellers coming to experience Queensland’s warm climate and exciting tourist activities,” Mr Yan Bo said. He also looked forward to welcoming visitors from the Gold Coast and Queensland to Hong Kong during their operation period, encouraging them to immerse in the vibrant Lunar New Year celebrations and enjoy authentic Hong Kong cuisine. Hong Kong Airlines President and Captain Mr Sun, who joined the cockpit crew for the first flight, emphasised the airline’s commitment to providing high-quality services. “As one of Hong Kong’s leading full-service airlines, Hong Kong Airlines is committed to providing high-quality, comprehensive services, including flexible baggage allowance options, complimentary inflight meals, and comfortable seats, to ensure that every passenger can enjoy a pleasant journey,” Mr Sun stated. The return of Hong Kong Airlines’ service was met with enthusiasm by Acting City of Gold Coast Mayor Donna Gates. “It’s a touchdown for our city, and what a welcome return after six years,” said Cr Gates. “Let’s hope that just like Hong Kong’s famous orchid, something magical grows from the return of this seasonal service to our city. We have so much to share, and I applaud all involved.” Tourism and Events Queensland’s (TEQ) Ollie Philpot and other partners marked the milestone arrival. Mr. Philpot noted the collaborative effort between Hong Kong Airlines, Experience Gold Coast, and Tourism Australia to highlight the Gold Coast in Hong Kong and Mainland China. “This is an exciting moment, and one we hope signals the beginning of a major boost to the festive period on the Gold Coast,” said Mr Philpot. Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn celebrated the resumption of Hong Kong Airlines’ services as a significant step forward for the tourism industry. “China is a hugely important source market for the Gold Coast, so we are thrilled to see Hong Kong Airlines’ services lift off again,” Mr Warn said. He noted that visitation from China had increased to 56,000 visitors in the year ending September 2024. “While the market is still on the long road to recovery, this is a very positive sign, and we’re confident the new Hong Kong Airlines seasonal service will only bolster those numbers further.” This seasonal service will continue to operate until February 15th, 2025, thanks to the support of the Queensland Government’s Attracting Aviation Investment Fund. With the renewed connection between Hong Kong and the Gold Coast, the region will enjoy a prosperous and vibrant Lunar New Year.

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