Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Global travel service provider Trip.com Group is actively adapting to the evolving trends and opportunities in the post-pandemic travel scenario. CEO Jane Sun recently shared her insights at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. During the panel discussion titled “Asia – the world’s next growth anchor?” at the prestigious event, Ms. Sun expressed optimism regarding Asia’s continual growth and discussed its investment potential.
The panel, which brought together prominent figures from government, business, and civil society, focused on building trust in a world marked by fractures and uncertainties. Ms. Sun was joined by influential speakers such as Mr. Geoff Lee from Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional, Mr. Roy Gori, President and CEO of Canada’s largest insurance company Manulife, and Mr. Ben Hung, CEO, Asia, at Standard Chartered Bank, who moderated the discussion.
As global tourism makes a robust comeback, Trip.com Group has observed heightened interest in bookings in Asia, particularly in destinations like Thailand, Japan, and South Korea. The region is experiencing trends such as an increased demand for high-quality wellness experiences and event tourism, especially for popular events like concerts and music festivals.
A notable shift towards sustainable tourism is underway, with over 16 million Trip.com Group customers opting for low-carbon travel options, including eco-friendly hotels. The company is prioritizing initiatives such as the rental of electric vehicles and promoting flights with lower carbon emissions.
In addressing the economic trajectory post-pandemic, Ms. Sun emphasized that China presents substantial investment opportunities, especially in the travel, wellness, and entertainment sectors. She highlighted the untapped growth potential in China’s travel sector, driven by factors like increased inbound and outbound travel and favorable policy developments.
Ms. Sun expressed confidence in the tourism industry’s growth, citing positive developments like expanded flight capacities and visa-free arrangements facilitating international travel to and from China. She pointed out recent unilateral visa-free policies and agreements with various countries, indicating a favorable environment for international travel. Noteworthy increases in inbound search and booking volumes have been recorded, with countries like Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands being popular among Chinese tourists, particularly during the upcoming Chinese New Year.
Trip.com Group’s “China Travel Guide,” launched in September 2023, has served nearly 100,000 international travelers planning trips to China. Additionally, outbound travel orders for the upcoming Chinese New Year holidays have surged more than 10 times compared to the previous year as of mid-January.
Ms. Sun highlighted the robust prospects for the wider Asian economy, predicting a significant contribution to around 50% of global GDP growth. She emphasized Trip.com Group’s commitment to building a strong global network, welcoming customers from all corners of the world, and facilitating international success for Asian customers.
Saturday, April 27, 2024
