Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Edition January - March 2023

On January 8 China finally relaxed Covid-related restrictions and allowed wholesale cross-border travel with the outside world once again, after nearly three years of virtual lockdown. Writing this editorial note in Hong Kong just prior to that date, I sense a buzz of anticipation, both positive and negative, as Hong Kongers wait to see the consequence of renewed commerce and tourism both into and out of the mainland. From an economic point of view, Hong Kong is without doubt desperate to reconnect with its vital mainland market, yet there are mixed feelings in the territory and across Asia as travel hubs prepare for an expected influx of Chinese travellers. How things pan out is anybody’s guess, but a renewal of international travel to promote global trade and rebuild numerous ailing economies…

BRITISH AIRWAYS HAS RESUMED FLIGHTS to Japan for the first time in 12 months, with flight BA7 from London Heathrow arriving at Tokyo Haneda airport on November 14. Japan has lifted restrictions on international travellers, meaning triple vaccinated visitors no longer need a Covid-19 test, and don't have to be part of a package tour. BA’s daily flights are being operated by B787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, departing London at 1145 and arriving into Tokyo at 1025 the following day, with the return leg leaving the Japanese capital at 0945, landing back into London at 1525, Return fares start from £610 (US$740) in economy, £1,708 (US$2,071) in premium economy and £3,141 (US$3,809) in business class.…

CHINA’S NATIONAL HEALTH COMMISSION removed mandatory quarantine for travellers arriving from overseas as of january 8. Strict Covid quarantine rules have been in place since the early days of the pandemic, although the quarantine period gradually reduced from three weeks to five days in a hotel. Since January 8, visitors no longer need to quarantine, although they still have to provide proof of a negative PCR test 48 hours before departure, and wear a mask on the flight to China. Airlines are likely to start ramping up their services to China - Etihad Airways has already announced plans to double the frequency of its Abu Dhabi-Shanghai route from February. Dr Xie Xing quan, IATA’s regional vice president for North Asia, said: “The announcement by the Chinese government, including the removal of quarantine for arriving…

TWO OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST HOTEL GROUPS have launched new extended-stay concepts. Echo Suites Extended Stay by Wyndham is the group's 24th brand, with 120 properties already under development. The new-build prototype of the economy brand includes 120 rooms across single and two-queen studio suites, with facilities including a fitness centre and 24-hour guest laundry. Meanwhile Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy will be positioned in the upper-upscale and luxury segments, with units featuring a separate living room and bedroom, full kitchen, and in-unit washer and dryer. The brand is expected to launch in the US and Canada.…

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES will finally launch its new nonstop route between Manila and Perth in March this year. The carrier originally announced plans for the route in 2019, with fourtimes-weekly flights having been scheduled to launch in March 2020. This was put on hold due to Covid-19, but the Hag carrier has now confirmed that a thrice-weekly service will launch on March 27, 2023. Flight PR223 will depart Manila at 0005 on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, arriving into Perth at 0715, while the return flight PR224 will depart Perth at 0830 on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, arriving into Manila at 1550. The seven-hour flight will be operated by the airline’s A321 neo aircraft. The carrier also operates flights from Manilas Ninoy Aquino International airport to Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.…

ACCOR HAS PARTNERED WITH EXPEDIA GROUP to launch a new ‘Flight + Hotel’ site, which will allow customers to “seamlessly add flights to their hotel stay”. For members of Accor’s ALL loyalty programme it will mean points can be earned on both the hotel and flight portion of packages purchased through the new site. Expedia said that the site will first launch in Australia, followed by the UK, France and Germany. Expedia pointed to two pieces of research to explain the move - the first showing that over half of travellers state that it is “more important to travel with their loyalty providers than before the pandemic”, and the second showing that package customers cancel 75 per cent less, stay twice as long and book twice as early compared to non-package travellers. IAN…