On July 1, EU lays down a reciprocating condition to open border to Chinese inbound, ie., EU will do so if China open border to EU travelers.

On July 31, EU short-list 11 safe countries and arrivals from them can enter EU, and they include Japan, South Korea and Thailand from Asia.

A recent online survey by C-trip on users found 88% intend visiting other provinces in this year, a new record; and 70% to take outbound holiday after borders reopen.

Last month, the announcement by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China, travel agencies in China can resume trans-provincial tours and “Ticket Hotel” packages received overwhelming responses. C-trip reported related searches instantly grew by 500%, while other travel portals reported 3 times growth.

According to UNWTO, the pandemics caused big drop in cross border traveling and the world lost US$320 billion tourism revenue in the first 5 months this year.

On July 28, UN World Tourism Organization reported globally the total number of cross border travelers in the first 5 months this year dropped 56%, which means 300 million fewer travelers, as compared to same period last year.

From May 1 when China and South Korea established the Express Channel Scheme to the end of June, 3697 travelers from South Korea in 26 chartered flights landed in China.

China and Germany arranged 3 chartered flights between end of May and early July which carried hundreds of German mangers and families to Tianjin, Shanghai and Qingdao. These German passengers went through what was described as “speedy channel under pandemic with warmth”.

British Airways, which on January 29 stopped flying to China, will resume flying to China on August 9 between London and Shanghai, and tickets be available for sale on July 21 in UK.

HSBC’s an online survey in March this year found 64% respondents save regularly and on average they save HK$7400 which is about 29% of their monthly income.

HSBC conducted an online survey in March this year and interviewed 1511 account holders aged between 18 and 64, and published its findings in late June. It found 61% respondents confident having sufficient saving to meet basic living expenses in the coming 6 months.

Some 14,600 inbound travelers visited Hong Kong in June, averaging around 500 arrivals per day which is a drop of 99.7% comparing to same period last year.

Inbound into Hong Kong in the first half of 2020 dropped nearly 90% to 3.52 million, according to Hong Kong Tourism Board latest statistics.

Public Survey in late June by ITE organizer found 50% respondents will travel abroad in coming Christmas, 45% in Spring Festival, 62% will in Easter and 56% in summer next year.

Public Survey in late June by ITE organizer found after restriction eased, 39% will travel within one to two months and 38% three to four months.

Held in late June by ITE organizer, the survey drew over 1000 replies in 3 days and found once travel restrictions eased, 69% of the respondents will take outbound holiday as soon as possible while 26% may be.

Chinese Xinhua news agency reported starting from July 1, Thailand allow in a handful of short term business travelers from five jurisdictions including Hong Kong.

Hong Kong government just extended the law/ordinance on inbound quarantine to August 7, which necessary as it provides the legal framework for implementing health code / travel bubble to exempt certain inbound groups from quarantine requirement.

On June 30, Hong Kong government extended the law/ordinance on inbound quarantine part of which also empower implementation of health code / travel bubble. Hong Kong government is working on health code with Guangdong and Macau, which is at the final stage according to the Chief Executive who also express wish to make an announcement this week.

Three flights carrying 78 passengers from Hong Kong and 29 from Macau, for business or humanitarian purposes, arrived Taiwan on June 29, the first day when Taiwan re-open borders to foreign travelers including those from these 2 cities.

Taiwan recognize following countries, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore as medium to low risk areas, and from June 22 will also open border to business travelers from them for short visit if they meet other conditions.

Taiwan recognize some countries and regions as low risk and from June 22 will open border to business travelers from them for short visit if they meet other conditions. They are New Zealand, Australia, Macau, Palau, Fiji, Brunei, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Thailand, Mongolia and Bhutan.

Restrictions continue and Taiwan travel trade not allowed to organize neither inbound nor outbound tours before July 31.

Globally, the pandemic will likely result in airlines losing US$84 billion and revenue halved to US$419 billion, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Ronald Wu, chairman of Hong Kong Association of Travel Agents, commented Hong Kong people can’t wait to travel again; when borders open, Hong Kong travelers will start booking short-haul trips in Asia and the longer long-haul trips picking up later.

In a media interview reported on June 16, Executive Director of Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) said government is discussing with many countries and regions like Guangdong, Taiwan, South Korea and Thailand, to set up Travel Bubble.

Vietnam now working with China and South Korea, which together account for 55% of the country inbound arrivals, on reciprocal travel bubbles.

Thailand now in discussion of forming Travel Bubble with over 10 countries and regions which have better control on pandemics. They include Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, mainland China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand etc.

Media report Germany end inbound control for all EU citizens except Sweden on June 10. Austria allows free travel with most other European countries on June 16. Poland open borders with other EU countries on June 13.

With the easing of Covid-19, Hong Kong commerce secretary Edward Yau announced on June 8 the Ocean Park will reopen on Saturday June 13, while Disneyland to re-open shortly, and Hong Kong Book Fair be held in July at HKCEC.

On June 8, Hong Kong commerce secretary Edward Yau said the government actively seeking to form travel corridors with other destinations, which include Thailand, Japan and South Korea etc., with similar levels of success in containing the pandemic.

Though Hong Kong just extend travel restrictions, yesterday media report a major travel agent in the city, Hong Thai offering tours starting from September to the first quarter of 2021 to destinations such as Dubai and Slovenia, and a 20 percent discounts for its “early bird packages”

Singapore, which established a green lane for travel with China on May 29, are also in discussion with South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia to ease border control.

Some recent locally infected cases result in Hong Kong government announced on June 2 to extend travel restrictions. As of June 4, Hong Kong had 1099 confirmed cases of which 1042 discharged and 4 death cases.

Media reported Hong Kong Airport on June 1 resume transit services while Cathay and Dragonair from June 21 will increase flight frequency to 22 cities in Europe, North America, Australia, mainland China and Asia.

Royal Caribbean will resume sailings from China in July, but operations in other markets will remain suspended for another month, reported Strait Times on May 26.

Media report Genting Cruise Lines, depending on factors like travel restrictions and ports reopening, anticipated to resume services in July or August and step up hygiene and safety measures such as reducing ship capacity by 50% to 70%, staggering check-in time at terminal and table service instead of buffet.

Media report Spain plans to reopen borders to foreign tourists in July.

UNWTO predict the world will see an 80% decline in international arrivals this year, if international borders reopen and travel restrictions easing in early December.

In a recent report on pandemic impact, UNWTO predict if international borders reopen and travel restrictions easing in early July, the world will see a 58% decline in international arrivals this year.

On June 15, Greece will open to 19 countries making good progress in controlling Covid-19. Among these markets in Asia are only Japan and China which include Hong Kong and Macau.

On June 15, France will open to Switzerland and Germany; Austria to Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Czech, Slovakia and Hungary; and Germany to Switzerland, France and Austria.

Media report starting from June, European countries are re-opening their border to foreign tourism or easing restriction on international arrivals. For examples, Italy to resume from June 3, Belgium from June 15, Poland from June 13, and Iceland no longer than June 15.

Quoting Thailand top tourism official, Xinhua News Agency reported Thailand now gradually relax restrictions and perhaps open the country to Chinese tourists around October this year.

Ryanair will spearhead European aviation industry by planning to restore about 40% of Ryanair’s flights which would be about 1,000 flights a day flying from as some 80 bases around the continent.

Quoting respective trade associations, media reported this year Spain expect to lose EURO 55 billion tourism income, down 32.4%; while travel trade of Portugal lost 40% to 50% income in March and 90% expect no sale revenue in April and May.

Japan Tourism Agency on April 16 estimated foreign visitors spent YEN672.7 billion in the first three months this year, down 41.6% over same period last year.

From US National Travel and Tourism Office, some 2.8 million Chinese travelers visited USA in 2019, and according to the China Tourism Academy over 6 million Chinese visited Europe in 2018.

In a press interview reported yesterday, Hong Kong Chief Executive confirmed governments of Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong are in discussion relax quarantine requirements for intra-region travel and hope a plan can be ready within this month. (More info available in this website, “ Update on May 1”)

Some 277000 travelers, up 8.36%, from China visited Hungary in 2019.

The survey also found some 55 percent of low income families planned on saving more than they consumed, compared to 34 percent of households earning more than 1 million yuan.

Media reported in late April a survey of 28000 people by China’s Southwestern University of Finance and Economics found 40% of Chinese households would maintain normal shopping patterns, 9% would buy more, and over half planned to increase their savings and cut back on spending after the outbreak was contained.

Occupancy rate of China’s hotel industry dropped 53% between April 1 and 19, comparing to same period last year.

Media report on April 28 that Marriott has fewer that 20 of its hotels in China still closed and its occupancy rate there rose to around 20% in the first week of April. Meanwhile, nearly all Accor hotels in China already re-open to business.

Media report on April 28 that InterContinental Hotel Group, which owns chains of the Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza, said 97% of its 470 hotels in China already re-open for business and pre-bookings continue improving.

By weighted average, a person can stay indoor for 14.4 days for self-quarantine. At 12 days, the shortest are those aged around 40, and the longest at 18 days are those aged 70 or higher.

A survey in Japan with over 1000 replies release its findings on April 14. On self-quarantine for preventing the spread of coronavirus, 36.9% can stay indoor for 1 week, 18.9% for 2 weeks, but 15.4% can bear only 2 to 3 days.

Nearly 90 million Chinese will travel during the coming May Day Holiday, twice more than the total of 43.25 million in the Ching Ming Festival this year.

As of March 16, Media reported over 30% or 3714 Class A Scenic Areas in 28 provinces of China already re-open to business.

China Tourism Academy project the domestic tourism revenue in Q1 and whole year of 2020 will decrease by 69% and 20.6% respectively, which equivalent to annual reduction of RMB1.18 trillion.

China Tourism Research Institute project total numbers of domestic travelers in the first quarter this year and for the whole year will respectively drop by 56% and 15.5% which equivalent to around 932 million fewer travelers.

Based on related data in recent past three years and trend, China projected to have lost at least RMB500 billion tourism income in the Spring Festival Golden Week 2020 according to an article published on April 7.

Quoting China Tourism Research Institute, media reported on April 7 that 16% respondents choose to travel in May which means a mini-peak in the coming May Day Holiday.

Government will spend HK$13 million, up over 80%, on professional exchange programs in mainland China for over 2600 Hong Kong teachers in next school year.

Over 100,000 primary and secondary students, up 45% over the school year of 2018/19, will take part in exchange programs with the mainland in next school year, with the Hong Kong Government provide funding of over HK$115 million.

Fares for domestic flights remained low during the Ching Ming Festival Holiday this year. For examples, flights to Beijing from Guangzhou and Xian cost around RMB300 for economy, while from Shanghai on April 4 only cost RMB170. Recovery of long and medium haul domestic travel take more time to recover.

During the three day Ching Ming Festival holiday in 2020, in mainland China were 43.25 million domestic travelers, down 61.4%, generating tourism revenue of RMB8.26 billion, down 80.7% comparing to same period last year, from the China Tourism Research Institute.

One travel platform in China report booking during the three day Ching Ming Holiday increased by 60%, while sale of attraction tickets doubled comparing to the week before.

This month World Tourism Organization UNWTO estimate globally number of tourists this year drop 20% to 30% and tourism revenue drop US$300 to 400 billion when compared to last year.

Malaysia issue electronic travel coupons, waive hotel tax and cut personal tax to stimulate tourism industry.

Indonesia will provide funding to its airlines and travel agents, subsidize promotion costs of 10 Indonesian destinations including Bali, related hotels and resorts to enjoy a 6 months tax free period etc., reported in media.

Affected by the coronavirus, Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou account for 19.8% of the 6456 tourism enterprises which in this year as of March 27 cancel their business registration. They include 1670 travel agents and 1890 hotels.

In 2019, some 156000 Chinese tourists, up 36.7%, visited Israel which received in that year 4.2 million inbound.

Trip.com, a leading travel site in China, reported its booking volume dropped to less than 20% since late January when the outbreak occurred, but domestic bookings started rebound to over 30% of normal levels since March.

What percentages of travelers in China and Hong Kong will resume traveling when outbreak over? details

Due to travel restriction, seeking helps were 86 Hong Kong citizens stranded in Peru as of noon on March 29, and among them some 30 belong to one package tour group.

70% of China’s travel trade will dive into sales and marketing initiatives once the present situation clears, according to quote by media in mid of March a recent survey by the China Tourism Academy.

On type of travel products after outbreak, he above survey in mainland China found 54% interest in leisure holiday at seaside resorts, 36% in alpine tourism, and 31% gourmet experience.

The above survey in mainland China found 52% of respondents now not sure if they will still choose cruise holiday or not, 36% explicitly stated they will not consider in remaining days this year, and only 13% will consider in 2020 if they find attractive cruise products.

The above survey found among those in mainland China to take outbound trips after coronavirus 18% will commission travel agents to plan and book their travel schedule.

The above survey found among those in mainland China to take outbound trips after coronavirus 48% prefer joining package tours, while among citizens in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen a lower average of 40%.

The above survey found among those in mainland China to take outbound trips after coronavirus 34% prefer FIT, but among citizens in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen a higher average of 46%.

Media reported on March 18 that 4 tour groups with some 80 tourists and some 150 FIT from Hong Kong stranded in Morocco when the country close air space.

The above survey found after coronavirus 56% respondents will visit China’s other provinces or cities, and 45% outbound.

The above survey found 32% respondents will arrange travel during July and August, while 41% not sure when to re-start traveling.

An extensive survey in China just released its findings. If Coronavirus be under control in late March or April, 60% respondents will consider traveling (for holiday) this year, 27% wait and see, and only 13% will not.

Tokyo Olympics, which will open as planned from July 24 to August 9 this year, will be attended by 11000 athletes, and around 600000 foreign tourists according to projection made last month.

After Hong Kong government announced travel restrictions on several European countries recently, at least 34 package tour groups to Spain and Portugal in March will be canceled involving around 750 travelers.

From Travel Industry Council, Hong Kong travel agents have since late January canceled over 4200 package tour groups affecting some 135000 travelers. Above cancellations not yet include Europe tour groups to be canceled soon.

Among the some 39000 travel agents in China, of which 35200 applied for temporarily refund of quality assurance deposit, which total RMB8 billion. As of Feb 25, RMB3.462 billion has been refunded to them, is meant to help agents through this difficult period.

Quoting Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong (TIC), media reported on March 6 that there from Hong Kong are at least 85 package tour groups to Japan involving 1600 travelers in March.

IATA projects a potential 13% full-year loss of passenger demand for carriers in the Asia-Pacific region this year instead of previous forecast of a 4.8% growth.

In mid of Feb, IATA said globally airlines will suffer revenue losses totaling USD29.3 billion in this year, of which those in Asia Pacific accounting for USD27.8 billion, based on a scenario where COVID-19 has similar impact as experienced in the past that no. of confirmed COVID-19 cases drop drastically in six months followed by an equally quick recovery.

During Spring Festival 2019 there were 6.5 million Chinese outbound tourists. On January 24 when China ban travel, overseas then were 250000 Chinese package tour group tourists who by February 24 all but some 90 persons returned to China, from Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

In 2019, (mainland) Chinese made 6.01 billion domestic trips, up 8.4%, and generated incomes totaling RMB5.7 trillion, up 11.7%.

Outbound of (mainland) China in 2019 totaled 169.21 million, up 4.5%, of which 162.11 million were private trips, up 4.6%, according to China National Bureau of Statistics.

Outbound of (mainland) China in 2019 totaled 169.21 million, up 4.5%, of which 162.11 million were private trips, up 4.6%, according to China National Bureau of Statistics.

The above Italian tourism consultancy made the prediction before corona virus outbreak in China that the number of Chinese destination wedding in Italy can rise to 1150 a year by 2021 – 22.

From a leading Italian tourism consultancy tracking Chinese destination wedding trend, on average, a Chinese wedding in Italy includes 12 to 15 guests and cost about EURO85000.

Quoting Travel Industry Council, media reported on Feb 24 that majority of travel agents in Hong Kong already decided to cancel package tour groups to South Korea this month and next, involving at least 300 tour groups and over 5200 travelers.

As of Feb 23, number of package tour groups from Hong Kong in Japan total 25 with 640 travelers, and in South Korea total 18 with 280 travelers.

A leading Italian tourism consultancy tracking Chinese destination wedding trend, held in Italy in 2019 were 208 Chinese wedding, up 2.3%.

From January 26 to February 9, Malaysian hotels received cancellations, majority of which up the end of February, totaling 95972 room nights and lost RM40 million (US$9.6 million) revenue. Most cancellations originating from China.

Recent survey by a consultancy firm in China named three sectors, namely, Travel, Catering and Entertainment most affected as during corona virus outbreak 17% respondents cut down and 75% stop completely such consumption. But they all will see strong rebound and for example 78% respondents will resume traveling once outbreak over.

Around 4.48 million Olympics tickets have been sold to Japanese citizens, and remaining are around 9 million tickets. Foreigners can buy tickets in middle of May by online.

On Feb 14, the organizing committee confirmed the Olympics Games 2020 and the Paralympic Games in Tokyo will be held planned respectively from July 24 to August 8 and from August 25 to September 6. There is no Plan B.

A travel portal in China reported about its recent survey which asked respondents once corona virus is over would they like to take holiday at the soonest. It found 1/3 chose “must go”, nearly 1/4 chose “would love to but difficult” due to job arrangements etc., and only a few respondents chose “Not interested”.

Hotels in mainland China saw their occupancy rate, between Jan 14 and 26, dropped 75%, the occupancy rate on Jan 26 dropped to 17%.

As a result of corona virus outbreak, by February 10 China’s civil aviation carried 36.4% few or 37.08 million passengers during the Spring Festival travel season this year.

Some 143000 Chinese tourists visited Thailand from between Jan 24 and Jan 31 this Chinese New Year, down 58% or 200000 less than same period last year, which cause economic loss of around 9.2 billion Thai baht or RMB2.05 billion.

From JNTO, In 2019, mainland China remained Japan’s top source of tourists, with arrivals rising by 14.5% to 9.59 million.

Quoting estimate by the Japan Association of Travel Agents, Japan Times reported some 400,000 Chinese tourists, not including business travelers so the total will rise, cancel trips to Japan by the end of March, as a result of corona virus outbreak.

Coronavirus in mainland China caused 28 Hong Kong travel agents cancelling 3340 outbound tours to mainland, affecting around 116,000 by Jan 29 in the afternoon, said Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong which also predicted more cancellations as travel agents incline to cancel all tour groups departing before the end of February.

From levy collected reported by Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, outbound business including tour groups of Hong Kong travel agents in December 2019 grew 28.8%.

In 2019, Hong Kong residents made 94.71 million departures, up 2.71%, which average 12.8 departures per person in that year.

From Hong Kong government statistics, more Hong Kong residents departed via the Airport in each month of the last quarter of 2019. Specifically up 1.72% in October, 5.65% in November, and 8.16% in December; while for the whole last quarter up 5.37%.

From government statistics, over 1.30 million Hong Kong residents, up 8.16%, departed the city via Hong Kong Airport in December.

Quoting Airbnb, which based on its data, media reported among travelers from Hong Kong travel themes / experiences of Gourmet, art, nature and history are popular.

Quoting Airbnb, which based on its data, media reported among travelers from Hong Kong - Taipei, Seoul, Osaka, Tokyo and Bangkok are popular destinations for the Spring Festival holiday 2020.

Quoting Airbnb, which based on its data, media reported among travelers from Hong Kong 87% will choose to take holiday with friends and families during the Spring Festival holiday 2020. They spend an average of 8 days, which more than double (111%) the average length of stay for the whole year.

Based on bookings from Visit Finland, from December 2019 to February 2020, a total of 140,000 Chinese tourists will visit Finland, up 16% over same period last year.

TKS Exhibition Services Limited office will be closed on 25-28 Jan for Chinese New Year Holiday and resume business on 29 Jan.

In the first 11 months of 2019, overnight stays by all inbound in Finland rose 4.1%, while those by Chinese inbound increased by 14% in the same period.

In the first 11 months of 2019, Chinese constituted the largest group of foreign tourists staying overnight in Rovaniemi, a popular destination in Finland, to be followed by French, German and Russian.

In the 2021 – 22 winter season, China’s ice and snow tourists will total 340 million with a tourism revenue of RMB680 billion.

Media reported China’s ice and snow tourists in the 2018-19 winter season totaled 224 million, up 13.7%; with a tourism revenue of RMB386 billion, up 17.1%.

Including domestic and inbound travelers, globally in 2019, tourism income totaled US$5.8trillion accounting for 6.7% of the world’s total GDP, and number of travelers total 12.31 billion, up 4.6%.

The report also project in 2020 globally tourism income will total US$6.02 trillion, and number of travelers total 12.81 billion, up 4.2%.

From a report jointly published by a research center of China, the country’s tourism industry will generate 6.1% more income which comparing well with the global average of 3.6%.

With monthly salary for white collar workers in the third quarter of 2019 averaging RMB11979, online game rank top among the 51 industries surveyed,

Top three Chinese cities by average salary of white collar workers in third quarter of 2019 were respectively Beijing at RMB11512, Shanghai at RMB10967 and Shenzhen at RMB10477.

By salary range, 38.7% with monthly salary over RMB8000; 22.8% between RMB6001 to RMB8000; and 28.1% between RMB4001 and RMB6000.

An employment agency reported salary of white collar staff in 38 major cities of China in last quarter of 2019 averaged RMB8829, up 9.1% over same period previous year.

China’s border control recorded Hong Kong citizens made in 2019 some 160 million crossing, which included in and out of mainland China.

AirlineRatings from Australia evaluated some 400 airlines in the world, and ranked Eva Air, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific respectively as 2020 Asia’s top three safest airlines.

AirlineRatings from Australia evaluated some 400 airlines in the world, and ranked Qantas, Air New Zealand and Eva Air as 2020 world’s top three safest airlines.

From India Times, some 1.4 million Indian visited USA in 2018, while some 135000 Indians visited Los Angeles in 2019 which made India the city’s fourth largest source market.

In 2018 Indian tourists on average each stay for 5 to 7 days and spend around 45000 baht (RMB9000) in Thailand.