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Lunar New Year 2024: Overseas bookings more than doubled, rise in ‘escape’ and theme park travel

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SINGAPORE, Feb. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — A global trend has emerged in recent years: more and more travellers are ditching the traditional Lunar New Year celebrations at home and jetting off for what’s been dubbed ‘Bi Nian’ (New Year escape) travel. It’s all about ringing in the holiday in a different country, adding an adventurous twist to the festivities. Families are getting in on the action too, choosing to embark on group getaways, shaking up the typical Lunar New Year routine.

Data from Trip.com Group paints an exciting picture: there has been a significant 279% surge in overseas bookings during the first five days of the Lunar New Year holiday compared to last year. And it’s not just one or two spots; this spike is happening in various countries where the Lunar New Year is celebrated, including Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, China and South Korea. This trend underscores a growing appetite for soaking up diverse cultures and diving into unique celebrations abroad.

Younger generation ‘escaping’ LNY, collective family getaways are a growing trend

As many gather together at home to usher in the Spring Festival, some members of the younger generation are doing quite the opposite.

Driven by a thirst for discovery, Millennial and Gen Z individuals are redefining their Lunar New Year, eschewing traditional celebrations in favour of adventures abroad. They make up 38.5% of all bookings during the holiday, seeking out vibrant cities like Bangkok, Tokyo, and Singapore for solo explorations. And when they’re not flying solo, you’ll find them jetting off with friends to attractions such as Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay as well as surprising finds such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum.

Yet, amidst this rise in independent travel, the family remains at the heart of Lunar New Year celebrations for many. Collective family getaways are on the rise, constituting 47% of all Spring Festival tourists from China, with customised tours and local guides for private tours gaining popularity. On a wider scale, Thailand, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates had the most local guide bookings during the holiday season.

Travellers embraced theme parks and unique experiences

Short-haul trips dominated Lunar New Year travel this year, with an impressive 199% uptick compared to last year, indicating a preference for flights lasting four hours or less.

But it wasn’t just about getting there quickly; these adventurers were all about seeking out one-of-a-kind experiences during their vacations. From hitting the slopes at ski resorts to embarking on exotic cruises and exploring safari parks, unique adventures were the top picks for bookings in tours and activities. For instance, Shenzhen’s Safari Park and Guangzhou Bonski, an indoor ski resort, were among the top overall attractions on Trip.com’s vibrant user-generated content platform, Trip Moments.

Throngs of travellers also sought out adventures at thrilling theme parks. For visitors from Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, the Disneyland parks in Tokyo and Hong Kong stole the spotlight as top attractions. Japan, on the other hand, emerged as a vibrant “theme park” hub, with Universal Studios Japan and Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter standing out as favourites alongside Disneyland. Other theme parks, such as Malaysia’s kid-friendly LEGOLAND, and Shenzhen’s Window of the World, also drew crowds.

Top overseas ‘escapes’ during the Lunar New Year

Southeast Asia emerged as a hotspot for jet setters in the whirlwind of Lunar New Year travel, with Malaysia and Thailand leading the charge. Overseas bookings surged by 202% and 195% respectively, compared to last year’s festivities. A trend of intra-Asia travel particularly took hold in Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, with top spots including China and Japan.

While in Singapore, holidaymakers set their sights on relatively nearby destinations, from bustling Bangkok to Johor Bahru, and even the serene shores of Bali. On average, Singaporean travellers embarked on 2.5-day escapades, with the majority taking off on 9 February, the eve of the Lunar New Year, and returning on 12 February to sync with the nation’s designated public holidays.

Meanwhile, China saw an unprecedented threefold growth in overseas bookings compared to last year, amidst a backdrop of relaxed visa requirements. Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia, which enjoyed mutual visa-free arrangements, emerged alongside perennial favourites like Japan as the go-to destinations for Chinese travellers.

As for South Korea, travellers were most keen on escaping to Japan, with top cities such as Osaka, Tokyo and Fukuoka drawing arrivals. For South Korean travellers seeking an alternative to Japan, Vietnam’s serene coastal city of Da Nang also emerged as a popular destination.

As the Spring Festival festivities wind down, we reflect on its multi-faceted impact on travel. Whether venturing solo, with friends, or alongside family, the Lunar New Year unites us in a shared celebration of renewal, prosperity, and joy.

About Trip.com Group

Trip.com Group is a leading global travel service provider comprising of Trip.com, Ctrip, Skyscanner, and Qunar. Across its platforms, Trip.com Group helps travellers around the world make informed and cost-effective bookings for travel products and services and enables partners to connect their offerings with users through the aggregation of comprehensive travel-related content and resources, and an advanced transaction platform consisting of apps, websites and 24/7 customer service centres. Founded in 1999 and listed on NASDAQ in 2003 and HKEX in 2021, Trip.com Group has become one of the best-known travel groups in the world, with the mission “to pursue the perfect trip for a better world”. Find out more about Trip.com Group here: group.trip.com. Follow us on: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube

SOURCE Trip.com Group

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Students to Develop Urban Mobility Solutions Using AI

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In Otis’ Made to Move Communities™ global competition, students will apply Artificial Intelligence to enable more inclusive and sustainable mobility solutions.A student team from the Hong Kong Baptist University Affiliated School Wong Kam Fai Secondary and Primary School is representing Hong Kong in this competition

HONG KONG, Nov. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing the speed, accuracy and scale at which complex challenges are addressed. Over the next several months, more than 250 students from dozens of schools representing more than 15 countries and territories around the world will participate in the Made to Move Communities challenge to propose innovative ways AI can improve urban mobility. They’ll be guided by volunteer mentors from Otis (NYSE: OTIS), the world’s leading elevator and escalator manufacturing, installation and service company.

“We believe that the next generation of innovation will use AI to make moving in and around cities easier and more efficient for all,” said Randi Tanguay, Otis Senior Vice President & Chief Communications Officer. “Today’s students are growing up as AI technology matures. They are actively engaged and quickly developing the skills to effectively use and apply it. With their innate curiosity and imagination, combined with the guidance of expert Otis volunteer mentors, I can’t wait to see the solutions these students come up with.”

Why AI

According to the World Bank, more than 56% of the world population currently lives in cities, and that number is expected to grow to nearly 70% by 2050. The current pace of rapid urbanization and global population growth has the potential to strain urban infrastructure, resulting in increased congestion, pollution, and inadequate public transit. These challenges can be even more acute in underserved neighborhoods and for people with special needs.

“AI is already reshaping transportation. It’s enabling self-driving cars, optimizing traffic flows, and even helping drones deliver packages and medicines to those in need,” said Ezhil Nanjappan, Otis Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer. “As we stand on the brink of the AI revolution, I’m excited to bring this transformational technology to the Made to Move Communities program – to brainstorm solutions to the mobility issues of today and tomorrow, while inspiring young minds and helping to close the STEM skills gap.”

For the first time – a global winner

Since 2020, Otis’ annual Made to Move Communities global student competition has engaged over 750 students and hundreds of Otis colleagues with the goal of addressing urban mobility challenges while sparking a lifelong interest in STEM. Participating schools have received nearly $1 million (USD) in grants from Otis to further STEM learning and programs in their schools.

Until now, students used to compete regionally, with a winning team selected in each of the four Otis regions. This year, for the first time, the four regional winning teams will compete in a final round to determine a global team champion. Student teams will need to share how their solutions to local challenges can be scaled globally, and the global team champion will receive an additional grant for their school.

Seven students from the Hong Kong Baptist University Affiliated School Wong Kam Fai Secondary and Primary School will take part. This is the second time the school will represent Hong Kong. “We are pleased to once again have the opportunity to represent Hong Kong in the competition. This platform allows our students to harness the power of Artificial Intelligence to tackle real-world urban mobility challenges. We are eager to see how their innovative ideas will transform into practical solutions and showcase their talents on a global stage.” Said by Ms. Jacqui KOO, Acting Deputy Principal cum Director of International Division, Hong Kong Baptist University Affiliated School Wong Kam Fai Secondary and Primary School.

Watch this video to learn more about Made to Move Communities and this year’s challenge: https://youtu.be/c1FwYeGhLp4

Visit otis.com/mtmc to learn more and follow Otis for updates from participating student teams.

About Otis

Otis gives people freedom to connect and thrive in a taller, faster, smarter world. The global leader in the manufacture, installation and servicing of elevators and escalators, we move 2.3 billion people a day and maintain approximately 2.3 million customer units worldwide – the industry’s largest Service portfolio. You’ll find us in the world’s most iconic structures, as well as residential and commercial buildings, transportation hubs and everywhere people are on the move. Headquartered in Connecticut, USA, Otis is 71,000 people strong, including 42,000 field professionals, all committed to meeting the diverse needs of our customers and passengers in more than 200 countries and territories. To learn more, visit www.otis.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook @OtisElevatorCo.

Media Enquiries: 

Michelle Mak
michelle.mak@otis.com  
852-9865 5331

 

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SOURCE Otis Elevator Company (H.K.) Limited

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New order for Alfa Laval to unlock potential of biofuels in aviation

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LUND, Sweden, Nov. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Driving the global energy transition towards biofuels, Alfa Laval has secured two contracts worth 350 million SEK to supply cutting-edge HVO pre-treatment technology to Europe’s largest biofuel facility. The facility, a joint venture between Cepsa Bioenergia San Roque S.L. (CSBR), and Bio-Oils Energy, part of the Apical Group, will produce 500,000 tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel annually, addressing the growing demand for cleaner, renewable energy sources.

Biofuels are crucial in the decarbonization of our societies, providing a low-carbon solution for existing technologies. In the transportation sector, they play a significant role in the shift towards net-zero emissions. However, the current demand for biofuels far exceeds the available supply, highlighting the need for increased production and innovation to meet this growing need.

“The biggest challenge in the biofuel industry is to triple the capacity by 2030. The volume increase is essential, and we are excited for Alfa Laval to play an important role in this transition,” says Sammy Hulpiau, President, Food & Water Division. “The trust placed in us by CBSR ensures that Alfa Laval significantly contributes to the necessary increase of biofuels in aviation, and the transformation of the entire industry.”

Alfa Laval’s Food & Water Division will supply two different pre-treatment units to CBSR’s 1.2-billion-euro project. The construction of the plant is an important step on the journey towards decarbonizing the global transportation sector and will double CBSR’s total renewable fuels production capacity to one million tonnes a year. The plant is designed to emit 75 percent less CO2 than a traditional biofuel plant.

The facility, planned to be up and running during 2026, is currently under construction in Huelva, Spain.

Did you know… that road travel, flights, and shipping account for nearly a quarter of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions? Biofuels offer a promising solution to keeping transportation efficient while reducing emissions.

CONTACTS
Johan Lundin
Head of Investor Relations, Alfa Laval
Mobile: +46 730 46 30 90
johan.lundin@alfalaval.com

Anna Droben
Head of External Communications, Alfa Laval
Mobile: +46 730899621
anna.droben@alfalaval.com

This is Alfa Laval   

The ability to make the most of what we have is more important than ever. Together with our customers, we’re innovating the industries that society depends on and creating lasting positive impact. Alfa Laval is a leading global provider of first-rate products in the areas of heat transfer, separation and fluid handling. We’re set on helping billions of people to get the energy, food, and clean water they need.  And, at the same time, we’re decarbonizing the marine fleet that’s the backbone of global trade.

We pioneer technologies and solutions that  free our customers to unlock the true potential of resources. As our customers’ businesses grow stronger, the goal of a truly sustainable world edges closer. The company is committed to optimizing processes, creating responsible growth, and driving progress to support customers in achieving their business goals and sustainability targets. Together, we’re pioneering positive impact.

Alfa Laval was founded 140 years ago, has customers in some 100 countries, employs more than 22,000 people, and annual sales were SEK 63.6 billion (5.5 BEUR) in 2023. The company is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. 

www.alfalaval.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com.

https://news.cision.com/alfa-laval/r/new-order-for-alfa-laval-to-unlock-potential-of-biofuels-in-aviation,c4065660

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Public/905/4065660/ac1f7576cdec81f2.pdf

New order for Alfa Laval to unlock potential of biofuels in aviation Alfa Laval press release 20241113

https://news.cision.com/alfa-laval/i/alfa-laval-biofuel-order-cepsa-2024-airplane-fuel,c3351404

Alfa Laval Biofuel order Cepsa 2024 Airplane fuel

 

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SOURCE Alfa Laval

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Teleperformance named among top 15 Best Companies to Work For™ in Europe

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BRISTOL, England, Nov. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Fortune and Great Place To Work® have ranked global business services leader Teleperformance (TP) among the top 100 Best Companies to Work For™ in Europe for the second consecutive year, ranking 12th among multinational companies. TP is the only company in the customer experience management industry to rank within the top 25 Best Companies to Work For™ in Europe.

In particular, TP’s operations in thee United Kingdom have been named to the list, which recognises the best companies to work for in Europe on an annual basis.

Companies on the 100 Best Companies to Work For™ list dramatically outperform the typical workplace in Europe by creating consistently great work experiences, according to Great Place to Work®. Earning a spot on the list is an indicator of high levels of trust across the organisation, with more employees from companies on the list reporting a consistently positive experience at work.

“Our people are at the heart of everything we do at TP,” said Alan Winters, TP Chief People Officer. “With a large diverse workforce, we hire and train for emotional intelligence and help employees grow to their full potential by sharing, listening and innovating – and a common thread through all of this is trust. We are encouraged and humbled by this feedback from our people across Europe who rated us so highly as a great employer. As the global leader in our industry, our goal is to continually be a great place to work in Europe and everywhere we operate.”

TP’s ranking on the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For™ in Europe 2024 list is based on an analysis of confidential survey responses from TP employees across Europe compared to confidential employee survey responses from employees in the region. TP employees overwhelmingly reported being treated fairly, regardless of their social and socio-economic status, gender, race or sexual orientation, and that TP provided a safe place to work.

Earlier this year TP received Great Place to Work® certifications in 69 countries, including 26 countries in Europe. Today, 97% of TP employees work in a Great Place to Work®-certified location1.

Great Place to Work® is the global authority on workplace culture and employee experience. Its annual certification program is based on a rigorous methodology and independent employee feedback. 

Visit the group at www.teleperformance.com.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2555852/Teleperformance_Logo.jpg

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