Corporate Travel News For Asia

Virgin Atlantic Cargo noted cargo volumes and cargo capacity demand on Virgin Australia's five times weekly Melbourne-Hong Kong service have steadily increased in both directions since its Jul-2017 launch and said the carrier's plans to increase frequency to daily from 12-Nov-2017 will provide a "timely boost" to support growing demand during the peak perishables season (Air Cargo News/AJOT/Lloyd's Loading List, 09-Nov-2017). Virgin Atlantic Cargo reported the service has generated more than 1200 tonnes of cargo and courier traffic since Jul-2017, and Virgin Atlantic regional sales manager Australia and New Zealand Pip Palmer stated "Our freight forwarder and courier customers are absolutely delighted that Virgin Australia is increasing its commitment to the Melbourne-Hong Kong route". Ms Palmer added: "There are a series of positive business indicators that show not only a consistent level of demand from our current customers but also opportunities for new traffic like we have started to generate from Tasmania".

Donghai Airlines has reportedly been in talks with the Northern Territory Government about direct Shenzhen-Darwin service (NT News, 08-Nov-2017). The carrier launched its first international service in Sep-2017, operating Shenzhen-Utapao service. The carrier applied fro CAAC approval for Darwin service in Jul-2017, and has reportedly applied to Australia's Civil Aviation Authority for the necessary approvals. North Territory Tourism Minister Lauren Moss' office stated only: "The Territory Labor Government is investing AUD5 million over two years to attract more visitors from China and India. This includes helping local businesses get China-ready. We have rolled out the welcome mat for delegations from a number of Chinese airlines who have come to better understand what the Top End and the NT have to offer - these delegations have been a great success and discussions about direct flights are progressing very well".

Travelport, in its Global Traveler Survey, highlighted (08-Nov-2017) the use of digital tools when planning, booking and experiencing a journey. The main findings from the global report, which surveyed 11,000 people worldwide, were as follows:

Tourism Australia, via its weekly newsletter, stated (08-Nov-2017) Tourism Australia and Qantas launched a new joint marketing campaign in Japan to promote the airline's new service between Kansai (Osaka) and Sydney commencing on 14-Dec-2017 as well as their existing services between Tokyo and Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. The campaign also promotes other destinations around Australia accessible through Qantas' domestic network. The campaign will run in digital and out-of-home media at train stations and on trains in Osaka and Tokyo and is estimated to reach 20 million Japanese consumers. The Japan inbound market is currently booming for Australia. In the 12 months to Jun-2017, Japan ranked as Australia's fifth largest inbound market based on visitor arrivals and expenditure.

Tourism Australia, via its weekly newsletter, stated (08-Nov-2017) China's biggest social media platform, WeChat, launched City Experience Sydney guide providing Chinese tourists with a new way to navigate key places of interest via the WeChat platform. "We know that the Chinese tastes in tourism are maturing and their interests are increasingly focused on individual, experiential travel. It is great that as an industry, we can tap into the potential of the largest social mobile app in China to deliver more destination information on demand to high-value Chinese FIT travellers", Tourism Australia country manager China Andy Jiang said. The guide was produced as a pilot in partnership with Tourism Australia.

Australia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs added nationals from Taiwan to the list of those permanently approved to used the SmartGate self-processing e-passport control system, effective 06-Nov-2017 (Taiwan Today, 07-Nov-2017). The inclusion of Taiwan follows a two year technical trial.

Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar Al Baker, speaking at the CAPA Asia Aviation Summit, said (07-Nov-2017) he hopes Qatar Airways, IAG, LATAM and Cathay Pacific can eventually exchange shareholdings in each other to become a "mega carrier". He commented: "Where there is determination and will I think that anything is possible".

Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) announced (06-Nov-2017) it held bilateral aviation talks with Fiji to exchange views on how to strengthen civil aviation ties between the two countries. CAAC Deputy Administrator Dong Zhiyi led the delegation along with Civil Aviation of Fiji Deputy Solicitor-General and Acting Permanent Secretary Sharvada Sharma. The discussions included civil aviation development and policies on international air transport, relevant policies and measures on the opening of long haul international routes, and continuous consultation on bilateral air traffic rights arrangements. [more - original PR]

Qatar Airways and Cathay Pacific entered (06-Nov-2017) an agreement, involving the purchase by Qatar Airways of 378,188,000 shares of Cathay Pacific Airways Limited, being approximately 9.61% of the total issued share capital. Completion of the transaction is expected to take place during 06-Nov-2017. Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar Al Baker said: "Qatar Airways is very pleased to complete its financial investment in Cathay Pacific." Cathay Pacific is a fellow oneworld member and is one of the strongest airlines in the world, respected throughout the industry and with massive potential for the future". Cathay Pacific CEO Rupert Hogg said: "Qatar Airways is one of the world's premier airlines.. We already work together closely as fellow members of the oneworld alliance and we look forward to a continued constructive relationship". This investment further supports Qatar Airways investment strategy which already includes 20% investment in International Airlines Group, 10% investment in LATAM Airlines Group and 49% investment in Meridiana. Air China Limited and Swire Pacific Limited together continue to hold 74.99% shares of Cathay Pacific. [more - original PR - Qatar Airways] [more - original PR - Cathay Pacific]

Tourism Western Australia released (Oct-2017) its International Markets Summary for the year ending Jun-2017. The report profiles visitors to Western Australia from key international source markets; markets Western Australia has a marketing presence in, as well as key emerging markets. Highlights of the report include:

• China:
  • Estimated Spend: AUD263 million (USD202 million), +7.9% year-on-year;
  • Estimated Visitors: 51,100, +6.9%;
  • Estimated Nights: 2,068,800, +5.3%;
• Germany:
  • Estimated Spend: AUD76 million (USD58 million), -11.1% year-on-year;
  • Estimated Visitors: 35,300, +0.3%;
  • Estimated Nights: 1,088,100, -6.0%;
• Hong Kong:
  • Estimated Spend: AUD100 million (USD77 million), +42.6% year-on-year;
  • Estimated Visitors: 24,000, +21.2%;
  • Estimated Nights: 730,400, -4.9%;
• India:
  • Estimated Spend: AUD86 million (USD66 million), +92.5% year-on-year;
  • Estimated Visitors: 27,300, +42.9%;
  • Estimated Nights: 1,447,700, +3.9%;
• Indonesia:
  • Estimated Spend: AUD66 million (USD51 million), +16.4% year-on-year;
  • Estimated Visitors: 31,000, +19.2%;
  • Estimated Nights: 902,400, +48.1%;
• Japan:
  • Estimated Spend: AUD53 million (USD41 million), -23.2% year-on-year;
  • Estimated Visitors: 26,200, +6.1%;
  • Estimated Nights: 697,700, -15.6%;
• Korea:
  • Estimated Spend: AUD66 million (USD51 million), +33.3% year-on-year;
  • Estimated Visitors: 15,500, +13.1%;
  • Estimated Nights: 1,165,000, +62.5%;
• Malaysia:
  • Estimated Spend: AUD234 million (USD180 million), +26.2% year-on-year;
  • Estimated Visitors: 116,800, +30.9%;
  • Estimated Nights: 1,945,100, +22.2%;
• New Zealand:
  • Estimated Spend: AUD97 million (USD74 million), -27.5% year-on-year;
  • Estimated Visitors: 71,700, -12.0%;
  • Estimated Nights: 1,269,300, -26.1%;
• Singapore:
  • Estimated Spend: AUD259 million (USD199 million), +23.2% year-on-year;
  • Estimated Visitors: 106,600, +10.2%;
  • Estimated Nights: 1,565,200, +29.9%;
• United Kingdom:
  • Estimated Spend: AUD283 million (USD217 million), -11.6% year-on-year;
  • Estimated Visitors: 148,900, +0.7%;
  • Estimated Nights: 4,182,600, -3.0%;
• US:
  • Estimated Spend: AUD165 million (USD127 million), +15.9% year-on-year;
  • Estimated Visitors: 84,700, +26.2%;
  • Estimated Nights: 1,825,500, +10.9%. [more - original PR]