SINGAPORE, 27 MAY 2025: The countdown begins to the 5th Himalayan Travel Mart (HTM 2025) that will welcome over 60 global travel buyers for the annual business and networking event held in Kathmandu, Nepal, from 3 to 5 June.
In its latest update, the HTM2025 organiser PATA Nepal Chapter welcomed Hilton Kathmandu as the “Premium Hospitality Partner and spotlighted event packages that include stays in Nepal pre and post-event.
Pacific Asia Travel Association Life Member and Sanctuary Resorts Guardian Hong Kong Andrew Jones joins the HTM2025 conference speakers.
HTM2025 has refreshed the buyer list, with more than 90% of global buyers attending confirmed as new and leading prospective tour operators, plus business events specialists who will hold business talks with over 65 exhibitors from Nepal’s tourism trade at the mart venue The Soaltee Kathmandu.
Held every June in Kathmandu, Himalayan Travel Mart is Nepal’s premier international travel and tourism trade show, facilitating unparalleled networking and business opportunities with valuable industry insights among the global tourism and hospitality organisations and individuals engaged in different aspects of tourism in the region.
Now in its 5th edition, the HTM attracts an impressive gathering of global buyers, diverse sellers, travel bloggers, influencers, keynote speakers, thought leaders, national and international media, travel industry professionals, and delegates worldwide. The mart will attract an overall attendance of 700 delegates for the opening event and the conference. At the same time, over 65 sellers will showcase travel products from Nepal, India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Tibet (China) at the B2B travel mart. Sixty buyers are registered from 21 countries.
In an email update, HTM 2025 recently confirmed Pre-Mart familiarisation tours for Buyers, International travel bloggers, media, and influencers from 29 May to 2 June, leading up to the HTM Conference on 3 June, when the HTM inaugural ceremony kicks off proceedings followed by the Welcome Dinner Reception.
The Buyers and Sellers Meet (B2B Sessions) follows on 4 to 5 June 2025.
Speakers line-up
Khem Lakai
Chairman, PATA Nepal Chapter
Deepak Raj Joshi
CEO, Nepal Tourism Board (NTB)
Deepak Singh Chairman PATA New England Chapter President-Spiritual Journeys, LLC. Cambridge, MA, USA.
Shahid Hamid
Chairman, PATA Bangladesh Chapter
Sridhar Thota
General Manager Hilton Kathmandu
Daniel Tschudy
Consultant & Journalist in global hospitality, Switzerland
SINGAPORE, 27 May 2025: Marriott International has introduced its new collection brand for the midscale and upscale lodging segments — Series by Marriott — as the company continues to expand its lodging offerings worldwide.
Series by Marriott should expand Marriott’s global presence by bringing well-established regionally created brands and hotels that champion consistent quality and service into the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio.
From left to right: Kiran Andicot, Senior Vice President, Development – South Asia, Marriott International; John Toomey, Chief Commercial Officer, APEC – Marriott International; Ranju Alex, Regional Vice President, South Asia – Marriott International; Shawn Hill, Chief Development Officer, APEC – Marriott International; Rajeev Menon, President, APEC – Marriott International; Binod Chaudhary, Chairman of CG Corp Global; Rahul Chaudhary, Managing Director, CG Corp Global and CG Hospitality Global; Suhail Kannampilly, Managing Director, Concept Hospitality; Avneet Bhutani, Vice President – Asset Management, APEC – Marriott International; Raymond Tan, Senior Director of Hotel Development, APEC – Marriott International
Series by Marriott will offer guests comfortable stays in more places and provide regional owners access to the benefits of Marriott’s platforms, including the company’s award-winning Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program, all while maintaining their portfolio’s independent identity.
Series by Marriott marks its initial launch through a founding deal with Concept Hospitality Private Limited (CHPL) in India, a key growth market for Marriott.
Established in 1996 by Param Kannampilly, CHPL, is one of India’s leading hotel management companies with a portfolio of six brands and over 100 hotels operating in 90 locations. Under the strategic agreement between CHPL and Marriott, CHPL’s flagship brands — The Fern, The Fern Residency, and The Fern Habitat — will affiliate with Series by Marriott on an exclusive basis across India, and Marriott will make a small equity investment in CHPL. The Fern portfolio is currently comprised of 84 open properties and 31 executed pipeline deals, totalling 115 properties and approximately 8,000 rooms. Fern properties are expected to join Marriott’s portfolio in India over time following discussions with the third-party hotel owners and execution of long-term franchise agreements with those owners. CG Hospitality, the hospitality division of the multi-national conglomerate CG Corp Global, is the majority stakeholder in CHPL.
Series by Marriott: Regionally created, globally connected the new brand delivers a simple and approachable experience with a focus on fundamentals and well-executed basics. Hotels in the portfolio will offer quality and value with clean, comfortable rooms, free Wi-Fi, daily coffee or tea, breakfast, fitness centres and meetings and event spaces available at certain properties.
Hotels will reflect the regions and customers they serve while delivering Marriott’s global standards for safety and cleanliness. As part of the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty programme, members staying at Series by Marriott properties can earn and redeem points and enjoy member benefits.
In addition to its founding deal with CHPL, Marriott is also in active discussions about the Series by Marriott brand with owners in the United States, the Caribbean and Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
HONG KONG, 27 MAY 2025: Cathay Pacific will add another destination to its Southwest Pacific network this winter with the resumption of non-stop flights between Hong Kong and Adelaide starting 11 November 2025.
The three-weekly winter seasonal service resumes an essential connection between the airline’s home hub and the South Australian capital, providing more choices for customers travelling between Hong Kong, the Southwest Pacific and beyond.
Photo credit: Cathay Pacific.
Adelaide will be Cathay Pacific’s eighth destination in the Southwest Pacific, with the airline also operating year-round services between Hong Kong and Auckland, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, and winter seasonal services to Cairns and Christchurch.
Cathay Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau said: “We are thrilled to be reconnecting our home hub with Adelaide, a bustling city that holds particular significance for Cathay Pacific. We first launched passenger flights to the South Australian capital in 1992.
“With our return to Adelaide, we will be operating close to 90 return flights per week to eight destinations in the Southwest Pacific at the peak of this winter season, providing many choices for our customers travelling between the region and our home hub. Whether they are travelling for business, leisure, or to visit friends and relatives, we look forward to welcoming customers onboard and experiencing our signature Cathay Pacific service.”
Cathay Pacific will deploy an Airbus A350-900 aircraft on the Hong Kong-Adelaide route, providing three classes: business (flat beds), premium economy and economy.
Flight schedules are as follows (all times local, subject to change and regulatory approval):
Hong Kong-Adelaide (11 November 2025 – 27 March 2026)
Together, Cathay Pacific and low-cost carrier HK Express are adding 16 destinations to their expanding global network this year, with more announcements to come. Within the first half of this year, the Cathay Group’s international network will reach 100 passenger destinations worldwide.
So far in 2025, Cathay Pacific has already launched non-stop passenger services to Hyderabad, Dallas and Urumqi. Still to come this year are Rome (5 June), Munich (16 June), Brussels (3 August) and now Adelaide (11 November).
KUALA LUMPUR, 27 MAY 2025: Malaysia Airlines (MAG) and Google have expanded their commercial partnership to redefine travel through artificial intelligence, data-driven marketing, and innovative digital experiences.
Building on a successful collaboration since 2024, the renewed partnership marks a significant step forward in Malaysia Airlines’ digital transformation journey. The focus now shifts from consumer showcases to deeper integration of AI-powered marketing and end-to-end digital innovation across the airline’s ecosystem.
Photo credit: MAG Facebook — Manjoj Thawani.
As part of this ongoing partnership, Malaysia Airlines and Google unveiled an AI showcase at the MATTA Fair to bring Malaysia Airlines’ signature campaign “Time For” to life. The showcase featured an on-ground pilot of Veo, Google’s image-to-video generation technology.
This interactive experience allowed visitors to bring their favourite travel memories to life using Google’s state-of-the-art video generation tool — simply by uploading a photo and watching it transform into a dynamic video, ready to be shared across social platforms. The activation underscored both partners’ commitment to pushing the boundaries of personalised and immersive travel engagement.
This partnership’s core is a mutual commitment to elevating the traveller journey. Google Gemini’s advanced AI capabilities will power next-generation personalisation across multiple customer touchpoints, aligning with Malaysia Airlines’ ambition to become the gateway to Asia and support Malaysia’s broader goals as a regional aviation and tourism hub, in line with Visit Malaysia 2026.
Malaysia Aviation Group Chief Commercial Officer of Airlines, Dersenish Aresandiran, said: “This is about transforming how we connect with our customers — from inspiration to booking, to every interaction across the journey. By leveraging Google’s advanced technology and global expertise, we’re unlocking new opportunities, enhancing the travel experience, and reinforcing Malaysia’s appeal as a world-class tourism destination. This partnership reinforces our commitment to supporting the goals of Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026) by positioning Malaysia as the gateway to Asia and beyond.”
The partnership is now formalised under a bold new Joint Business Plan, closely aligned with Malaysia Airlines’ commercial growth strategy and brand aspirations.
Key focus areas
AI-Powered Performance Marketing: Leveraging Google’s Performance Max and AI-enhanced Search tools to drive smarter, data-led marketing outcomes.
Global Brand Building via YouTube: Launching targeted campaigns in the UK, ANZ, Japan, and key ASEAN markets to grow international brand affinity.
Agile Innovation Culture: Embedding a ‘test and learn’ mindset to accelerate innovation across the customer journey.First-Party Data Activation: Unlocking deeper customer insights to drive loyalty through Enrich and premium cabin offerings.
PORT-LOUIS, MAURITIUS, 26 MAY 2025: Emirates has officially launched its new Travel Store in Port-Louis, Mauritius, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s commitment to enhancing travel experiences for its customers.
At the opening ceremony, the Emirates’ long-standing partnership with the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) was also extended in its commitment to promote tourism to the island through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Located at The Docks 2, United Docks Business Park, Caudan, Port Louis, the 1,895-square-foot travel store offers immersive experiences grounded in technology and best-in-class support from dedicated teams on the ground.
The store was officially inaugurated by Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer in the presence of the Honourable Shakeel Mohamed, Minister of Housing and Lands; Saeed Mohamed Saeed Baomran, Acting Head of Mission, Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, along with other distinguished guests, trade partners, and media representatives. Also present were members of Emirates’ senior leadership and management team including Nabil Sultan, Executive Vice President Passenger Sales and Country Management; Essa Sulaiman Ahmad, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations (West Asia & Indian Ocean); Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Divisional Senior Vice President International Affairs and Oomar Ramtoola, Manager – Indian Ocean Islands.
At the official opening of the travel store, Adnan Kazim said: “We have been operating in Mauritius for 23 years, and launching our travel store demonstrates our commitment to growing our presence on the island nation. Here, our customers can discover and enjoy the convenience of our innovative products and digital services. Our staff is trained to offer personalised service, enhancing the customer experience at every stage. This store will enable Mauritian travellers to experience the essence of Emirates before they even begin their journey.”
The Emirates Travel Store provides customers with the opportunity to explore the latest inflight products available on its aircraft, as well as various destinations within the airline’s network. Trained staff are on hand to offer personalised assistance, helping customers effortlessly plan their trips, book tickets, and manage their travel preferences as well as answering general inquiries related to Emirates and the Skywards loyalty program.
In addition, the store features self-service kiosks and a selfie mirror that allows customers to take pictures against backdrops of popular Emirates destinations. It also offers a curated selection of exclusive Emirates-branded merchandise and travel accessories, making it a comprehensive destination for travellers seeking both inspiration and convenience.
Emirates’ executives’ visit to Mauritius also saw the airline and Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) renewing their long-standing partnership to continue developing the island’s thriving tourism industry. Building on 13 years of commitment the airline and MPTA have signed a new MoU to continue their mission of promoting the Indian Ocean destination to key audiences globally.
The MoU was signed by Essa Sulaiman Ahmad, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial West Asia & Indian Ocean, and Claire Le Lay, Chairperson of the MTPA. Presiding over the signing ceremony was the Honourable Shakeel Mohamed, Minister of Housing and Lands.
Emirates and MTPA have been collaborating on joint initiatives to showcase the appeal of Mauritius to stakeholders in key markets since 2012. By engaging its extensive network of travel agents and tour operators to promote the destination’s unique adventure offerings to key audiences in France, the UK, South Africa, Germany, and more, Emirates has played a significant role in contributing to the island nation’s tourist arrivals, which exceeded 1.3 million in 2024. The two parties’ joint efforts have included the development of tailor-made packages, including excursions, attractions and accommodations to suit a range of budgets.
Essa Sulaiman Ahmad, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial West Asia & Indian Ocean said: “Since 2002, Emirates has been proudly serving Mauritius with our award-winning services and premium offerings which appeal to a global audience. By drawing on our extensive network of travel partners, we continue to succeed in bringing holidaymakers to Mauritius to enjoy what the island has to offer. Our double daily A380 services have been a major contributor to the growth of the country’s tourism industry and the lifeblood of the local community.”
The Minister of Tourism, The Honorable Richard Duval added: “We are delighted to renew and further strengthen our valued partnership with Emirates – a relationship that has played a pivotal role in positioning Mauritius as a world-class tourism destination. Over the years, this collaboration has helped increase our connectivity in key markets and contributed directly to the growth of tourist arrivals.
“This renewed Memorandum of Understanding is a testament to our shared vision of sustainable tourism development and our continued commitment to showcasing the rich cultural, natural and experiential offerings of Mauritius to a global audience.”
“I would like to express my gratitude to Emirates for their continuous support. I have no doubt that we will continue to work hard together hand-in-hand to ensure that Mauritius remains a top-of-mind destination for travellers worldwide.”
Claire Le Lay, Chairperson of the MTPA said: “The MTPA is delighted to renew this strategic partnership, which highlights Emirates’ commitment to supporting our efforts in promoting Mauritius as a premier tourism destination. Emirates’ unparalleled connectivity through Dubai has opened new horizons for us, enabling strong growth from markets such as the Middle East, Europe, and beyond. We are confident that this collaboration will continue to play a vital role in our tourism development.”
To celebrate Mauritius’ 57th Independence Day, Emirates operated an A380 flight with an all-Mauritian crew, symbolising the opportunities its people have embraced on the global stage and the importance of the nation to the airline’s network and operations. The airline currently provides two direct daily flights to Mauritius, both operated by its flagship A380 aircraft.
PHUKET, 26 MAY 2025: As the global wellness landscape continues to shift alongside changing consumer demands and travel behaviour, Thailand is increasingly recognized as a model of adaptive leadership in the wellness economy.
And it was at the new industry strategic touchpoint, Being Thailand 2025 in Phuket, where the country’s role in shaping wellness-oriented tourism, hospitality, healthcare, and consumer markets was assessed.
(Left to Right) Viona Zhang, Deputy Managing Director, C9 Hotelworks – Paul Keen, Director of Operations and Culture, QUO – Sumi Soorian, Founder, Mrs B Group & Phuket Hotels Association
Over the past three decades, Thailand has developed a diverse and resilient wellness ecosystem. From its roots in spa and holistic therapies, the market has matured into a dynamic blend of longevity-focused resorts, integrative medicine, and health-conscious lifestyle products. Key destinations like Phuket have evolved into full-spectrum wellness hubs, supported by medical infrastructure, global hotel brands, and next-generation real estate.
“Thailand’s wellness economy is not just expanding — it is recalibrating to meet the future,” said Viona Zhang, Deputy Managing Director of C9 Hotelworks. “Being Thailand 2025 offered a format that brought stakeholders together in person to evaluate where the market is going and how to align business models with the next wave of demand.”
The event was structured in a distinctive B2B format that connected, inspired, and informed participants through a combination of expert panels, strategic discussions, and immersive wellness sessions. This in-person approach facilitated high-value engagement across industries while reflecting the experiential nature of wellness itself. A dynamic physical component — incorporating movement, mindfulness, and recovery elements — was designed to mirror the values and principles at the heart of the wellness economy.
Insights from the Wellness Economy Report 2025, released by C9 Hotelworks, highlighted the scale and momentum of the sector. Total wellness trip spending in Thailand rose from THB194 billion (USD5.39 billion) in 2022 to THB419 billion (USD11.64 billion) in 2023, driven by a sharp rise in international visitors — who grew from 23% to 40% of the wellness travel market. Thailand’s overall wellness economy was valued at THB1.4 trillion (USD38.89 billion) in 2023, placing it among the top 10 in Asia-Pacific.
Wellness trends continue to influence consumer behaviour beyond travel. Fitness apparel and footwear now hold a 52% market share within the physical health segment, while healthy labelled foods and beverages reached a market value of THB198 billion (USD5.50 billion). This shift reflects how wellness has moved from a travel category into a daily lifestyle priority.
Hospitality development is also evolving. Increasingly, wellness offerings— once isolated to specialist resorts — are now being embedded across hotel categories. Upcoming openings such as Clinique La Prairie’s flagship property at Tri Vananda in Phuket and BDMS’s Silver Wellness & Residence in Bangkok are examples of how the country is repositioning itself around longevity, science-backed health, and integrated living environments.
Being Thailand 2025 facilitated high-level dialogue and partnership-building across tourism, real estate, consumer wellness, healthcare, and investment sectors. The event reinforced Thailand’s leadership not just in product development but in setting the standard for how wellness is integrated into national strategy and private-sector growth.
HONG KONG, 26 MAY 2025: StarCruises will homeport its cruise ship Star Voyager in Hong Kong for the summer season starting 27 June 2025 while extending sailings through autumn.
Star Voyager will sail from Hong Kong, marking a major milestone in the brand’s return to the region. It follows the positive response to its previously announced deployment through the end of August. Star Voyager will extend its Hong Kong deployment for an additional 11 weeks, covering the autumn season with departures until 14 November 2025.
Representatives from the StarDream Cruises management, Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), Tourism Commission & Travel Industry Council will launch the Star Voyager sailings from Hong Kong starting on 27 June 2025. From left: Colin Kerr, SVP, Entertainment, StarDream Cruises; Michael Goh, President, StarDream Cruises; Anges Ho, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Tourism Commission; Colin Au, CEO & Executive Director, StarDream Cruises; Marilyn Tham, General Manager, Mega Events, MICE & Cruise of Hong Kong Tourism Board; Tommy Tam, Chairman of Hong Kong Travel Industry Council and Ling Sit, AVP – Sales, StarDream Cruises.
Full details of the itineraries for the extended season will be announced at the end of May.
Travellers can board the Star Voyager directly from Hong Kong’s Ocean Terminal, a centrally located departure point with excellent transportation links and close to the city’s top attractions and shopping districts.
The Star Voyager will offer two, three and five-night cruise options, featuring Okinawa (Naha and Ishigaki) in Japan, as well as to Keelung,
Kaohsiung and Penghu in Taiwan.
The deployment from summer through autumn provides more vacation choices for Hong Kong residents and enhances the appeal of the Fly and Rail cruise market. International travellers can add Hong Kong as a stay either pre or post-cruise.
“Under the new StarCruises brand, we are thrilled to introduce our latest cruise ship, the Star Voyager, and to have her homeport in Hong Kong — a city with a long-standing history and strong connection to our brand,” said StarDream Cruises President Michael Goh. “With the support of the Hong Kong SAR Government and the Hong Kong Tourism Board, we are confident that we will invigorate the local cruise industry, boost the Fly cruise and Rail cruise sectors, and meet the growing demand for exciting summer vacations.”
Cruise Taiwan’s top coastal destinations
From 29 June to 13 August, the Star Voyager will sail roundtrip cruises to Taiwan on select departure dates. Choose between the three-night Kaohsiung–Penghu Cruise (departing Sundays) or the two-night Kaohsiung Cruise (departing Wednesdays).
Set sail for Okinawa
Three special five-night roundtrip cruises will depart on Sunday, 20 July, 3 and 17 August 2025. Star Voyager explore Okinawa with stops at Naha and Ishigaki — two of the region’s most iconic island destinations. From Naha’s rich Ryukyu culture and historic Shurijo Castle to Ishigaki’s pristine beaches, these cruises offer the ideal mix of relaxation, discovery and cultural charm.
ROME, 26 MAY 2025: Skål Europe has called for urgent reform after a EUR500,000 IT development loss sparked a global consultation — a defining moment and turning point for the organisation. In the wake of institutional failures and governance concerns, Europe’s clubs are demanding transparency, decisive action, and a new direction, uniting Skål members worldwide.
This bold and unprecedented step towards reform was initiated by Skål Europe, which convened a landmark online meeting on 22 May 2025.
Coordinated by Vice President Paolo Bartolozzi, the session brought together over 60 Skålleagues worldwide, including members of the Skål International Executive Committee. The consultation placed clubs and members at the heart of the conversation about Skål’s future.
Led by Skål Europe President Franz Heffeter, the meeting addressed the urgency for change with both clarity and determination. “This is your mandate,” Heffeter affirmed. “It must come from the Clubs — not from the top down.” With seamless coordination by Tito Livio Mongelli and Stefan Pettersson, the event was accessible across time zones and languages.
At the core of the discussion were two pivotal reform documents. The first directly tackled governance shortcomings, including the deeply troubling loss of over EUR500,000 linked to failed digital platform projects such as Odoo and Omnigo — resulting from a cancelled IT contract for the Skål website. This financial loss, far from a minor oversight, was likened to public-sector mismanagement, highlighting the critical need for accountability and structural change. The document proposed strong remedial measures, ESG certification and financial reporting.
But the focus was not on assigning blame. Instead, it presented forward-looking proposals: ESG certification as a governance tool, cost-centre financial reporting, transparent tendering, and broader institutional reform. “We must turn pain into structure,” Paolo said, “and confusion into a model of clarity.”
The second document looked to the future, presenting a visionary strategic mandate that reimagines Skål not as a top-down authority but as a global service platform. It emphasised institutional visibility at tourism bodies, improved digital infrastructure, enhanced Congress formats, and stronger support for club promotion at key industry events.
The consultation drew some of the most open and constructive dialogue in recent Skål history. Skålleagues from Monte Carlo, Germany, Austria, South Africa, Croatia, and Italy offered passionate, thoughtful insights. Their message was unified and urgent: Skål must evolve, modernise, and meaningfully engage with the next generation of tourism professionals.
Concluding the discussion, Luigi Sciarra, President of Skål Roma, quoted former Skål International President Annette Cardenas: “Annette said we must build bridges. But to build bridges, you need bricks and iron. This reform gives us both. It is time to build.”
The Strategic Survey remains open to all clubs until 3 June 2025. The final reform proposal will be submitted at the AGA during Skål’s World Congress in Cuzco, Peru, from 25 to 30 September 2025. What began in Skål Roma as a local initiative has now evolved into a European and increasingly global movement for change.
A Turning Point
The evening ended not with slogans but with mutual respect. No personal attacks. No division. Just clubs, members, and professionals — choosing to build something better. As the screens went dark, one thing was clear: the real mandate for Skål International had not been delivered from a stage but had risen from the grassroots. The future of Skål is no longer a question of who leads — but how its members lead and for whom.
Source: Andrew Wood
About the author Andrew J Wood is a respected travel writer, hotelier, and tourism lecturer with over four decades of experience in Southeast Asia’s hospitality and tourism sectors. A former general manager of several leading hotels in Thailand and a regular speaker at international tourism forums, he is widely recognised for his insight into emerging travel trends and his passionate advocacy for Thailand as a world-class destination.
KUALA LUMPUR, 26 MAY 2025: Tourism Malaysia welcomed China Eastern Airlines’ inaugural flight last week connecting Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu Province in northwest China, to Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur.
The milestone represents a significant step towards enhancing bilateral tourism and economic relations between Malaysia and China.
The inaugural flight received a warm welcome at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) from Samuel Lee Thai Hung, Deputy Director General of Tourism Malaysia, representatives from China Eastern Airlines, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), Tourism Malaysia, and AeroDarat, the airline’s ground handling partner.
Lanzhou, a major transportation and economic hub in northwestern China, has seen rapid growth driven by rising incomes and a growing middle class. Strategically positioned along the historic Silk Road, the city plays a vital role in China’s Belt and Road Initiative by promoting enhanced connectivity with Central Asia and other countries, including Malaysia.
The airline will serve the new Lanzhou-Kuala Lumpur route with three weekly flights using an Airbus A320 aircraft with 156 seats. The service complements an existing daily Kunming–Kuala Lumpur flight and marks the first direct air link between Lanzhou and Malaysia.
By offering connecting routes via Kunming, this expansion creates broader opportunities to attract outbound travellers from key Chinese cities to Malaysia.
The inaugural flight received a warm welcome at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), led by Samuel Lee Thai Hung, Deputy Director General of Tourism Malaysia, alongside representatives from China Eastern Airlines, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), Tourism Malaysia, and AeroDarat, the airline’s ground handling partner.
From January to March 2025, Malaysia received 10.1 million international visitor arrivals, representing an increase of 22.2% from the previous year. Malaysia received 1,124,635 visitors from China overall, which showcases a robust 36.5% year-on-year increase. The extension of the visa-free policy for Chinese nationals until December 2026, combined with improved flight connectivity, will further boost this positive momentum. These developments reinforce cultural and people-to-people links and contribute significantly to the tourism sector and broader economic cooperation.
HONG KONG, 26 MAY 2025: HK Express Airways has launched Hong Kong’s first direct flight to Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, operating three weekly flights to Changzhou Benniu International Airport (CZX).
The new route enhances flexibility for leisure and business travellers while strengthening the airline’s commitment to the Chinese Mainland’s Yangtze River Delta region.
Changzhou Benniu International Airport welcomed HK Express’ inaugural flight with a water cannon salute.
Through the airline’s codeshare partnership with Cathay Pacific, travellers from Changzhou and neighbouring cities can seamlessly connect to Cathay Pacific’s worldwide network via Hong Kong, and facilitating inbound visitors worldwide can connect with flights to Changzhou for business, tourism and cultural exchange. This two-way connectivity will further enhance international exchanges and economic links.
HK Express CEO Jeanette Mao said: “Changzhou is one of our key expansions in our Chinese Mainland network this year. As our fourth Chinese Mainland destination after Beijing (Daxing), Ningbo and Sanya, we believe this route will attract international visitors to the Yangtze River Delta while offering Jiangsu residents convenient connections through Hong Kong to global destinations.”
“We are committed to offering affordable fares with flexible travel options, and anticipate this Changzhou route will stimulate bilateral tourism, enhance travel experiences, and strengthen Hong Kong’s role as an international aviation hub,” she added.
Changzhou boasts a fusion of historical legacy and contemporary development, where natural landscapes and cultural heritage coexist. Visitors can enjoy boating on the picturesque Tianmu Lake or explore the well-preserved Yancheng ruins from the Spring and Autumn Period, featuring a rare triple moat system that has survived for 2,500 years.
The city’s literary heritage shines through sites like Taibai Tower, where Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai composed poetry during his visits and Juzhou Pavilion, the former residence of Northern Song Dynasty writer Su Dongpo, now serving as a memorial park displaying his original calligraphy. Modern attractions include China Dinosaur Park, with its immersive prehistoric exhibits, and the redeveloped Qingguo Lane area, where ancient canal warehouses have been transformed into cultural spaces. As a key manufacturing hub in the Yangtze River Delta, Changzhou honours its industrial heritage while leading innovation in new energy technologies, making this culturally rich and dynamic city worth multiple visits to fully appreciate its depth.
