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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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48-Hour Saudi Visa Processing, Major Discounts and Unmissable Giveaways – Only at ‘Spectacular Saudi’ in Mumbai

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23 mins ago

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September 21, 2024

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NEW DELHI, Sept. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Saudi’s national tourism brand, ‘Saudi Welcome to Arabia’ is hosting its first-ever immersive consumer event ‘Spectacular Saudi’, from September 25 to October 2,  from 2:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. at R2 Ground in BKC, Mumbai.

Slated to transport visitors straight to the Heart of Arabia; the 8-day immersive experience will give visitors a glimpse into Saudi’s many wonders and iconic experiences – all while extending the warm Saudi welcome. To give consumers a truly memorable experience Saudi is offering exclusive giveaways and discounts specially curated for Indian travellers.

What’s more, Indian travellers can fast-track their Saudi visas exclusively at the event. All you need is a valid Visa or Mastercard credit card! Head on over to one of eight dedicated Tasheer kiosks, ensure the name on the credit card matches the passport, and have sufficient funds available on the card. After that, sit back and relax as your visa will be in hand within 48 hours!

It has never been easier to visit Saudi. With the most seamless visa process offered to date, the excitement doesn’t end there. On the travel front, SAUDIA Airlines is offering special deals, including a buy one get 50% off on the second ticket if travelling business class. Additionally, all economy class tickets will be 15% off. Attendees will also have the chance to participate in daily giveaways for free flight tickets for two to Saudi. With over 50+ travel trade offers, visitors can access incredible cashback and discounts on Saudi travel packages. Additionally, those booking Saudi packages will enjoy complimentary cultural city tours. Group tour packages to Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam will be available exclusively at the event, starting at INR 99,999 for 5 nights.

Visitors can expect unique immersive experiences–including exhibits, culinary delights, Ardah dancers, Saudi coffee, traditional scents, and fashion–all under one roof. So don’t miss out and register here to experience a piece of Saudi, right in the heart of Mumbai.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2511104/Spectacular_Saudi.jpg

 

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Indian Cancer Genome Atlas Launches the Country’s First Comprehensive Cancer Multi-Omics Data Portal

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23 mins ago

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September 21, 2024

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Offers open access to cancer data for research

NEW DELHI, Sept. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Indian Cancer Genome Atlas (ICGA) has launched India’s first comprehensive cancer multi-omics data portal. This pioneering platform provides open access to clinically correlated data from Indian cancer patients, aimed at transforming cancer research and treatment for Indian populations.

Historically, cancer treatments in India have been based on Western data sets. However, cancers in Indian patients can differ significantly at the molecular level. ICGA’s mission is to create Indian-specific datasets to help researchers and clinicians develop personalized treatment protocols. This new open-access portal represents a monumental step in revolutionizing cancer research, specifically for Indian patients.

The ICGA cancer multi-omics portal is the first in India to offer data that includes DNA, RNA, and protein profiles of breast cancer patients, integrated with clinical outcomes. Currently, the platform consists of data from 50 breast cancer patients, with plans to expand to over 500 patients in the coming year. This data is freely accessible to the global research community under India’s PRIDE guidelines, which promote ethical sharing and collaboration in cancer research.

Key Highlights of this portal include:

India’s First Cancer Multi-Omics Data Portal: A comprehensive resource that offers detailed multi-omics data for breast cancer patients, including genomic and proteomic information.Based on cBioPortal Platform: Derived from the internationally recognized cBioPortal, this platform ensures seamless integration with global cancer research efforts.Initial Dataset from 50 Indian Patients: Provides clinically annotated DNA, RNA, and protein profiles, along with treatment histories and patient outcomes, with an aim to scale up to 500 in a year.Free Access Under PRIDE Guidelines: Adhering to responsible and ethical data-sharing practices, the portal is freely accessible to the scientific community.A Step Toward Precision Oncology for Indian Patients: This initiative is designed to enable the development of personalized cancer treatments tailored to Indian patients.Call for Collaboration:  ICGA invites researchers worldwide to contribute and expand the platform, fostering global collaboration in cancer research.

Professor Shekhar C. Mande, Former DG-CSIR, Currently Senior Professor at Savitribai Phule Pune University
“Making this invaluable cancer data publicly accessible marks a pivotal step in accelerating scientific discoveries and enhancing patient outcomes. By openly sharing this data, we are empowering researchers, clinicians, and innovators to collaborate, explore new frontiers, and drive transformative breakthroughs in cancer treatment.”

Joint Statement from Dr JC Zenklusen – Director of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) at the NCI, NIH, USA, and Prof Sunil Badve – Vice Chair, Pathology Cancer Programs, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
“Fifteen years ago, when we launched TCGA, we could not have foreseen the remarkable progress cancer research would make. It is incredibly exciting to see ICGA advancing so rapidly and taking bold steps in revolutionizing cancer research. Understanding the genome of cancer patients will improve the treatment of Indians not only in India but also worldwide. We, both, encourage others with similar data to actively contribute to ICGA, so this initiative can grow even faster and drive greater breakthroughs.”

Dr. Anand Deshpande, Chairman and Managing Director at Persistent, and Non-Executive Director at ICGA
“We have made an excellent start with this groundbreaking multi-omics cancer portal. Cancer touches all of us, and the need for more effective, personalized treatments—especially tailored to the unique genetic and environmental factors in India—is urgent. This portal will empower researchers with crucial data to advance customized cancer research for better treatment outcomes. I encourage everyone to contribute and support this vital cause, helping us accelerate progress in the fight against cancer.”

About Indian Cancer Genome Atlas (ICGA):
The Indian Cancer Genome Atlas (ICGA) is a national initiative focused on mapping the genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic landscapes of cancers across India. As a section 8 not-for-profit organization, the ICGA Foundation, operates through a public-private-philanthropic partnership, with active support from over 50 clinicians, researchers, and data analysts. Its mission is to enhance cancer diagnosis and treatment for Indian patients and contribute to the global understanding of cancer biology. The foundation’s first project focuses on the multi-omics profiling of breast cancer, with plans to extend this effort to other types of cancer in the future.

https://www.icga.in/

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Huawei Launches All-New Xinghe Intelligent Campus with Full Upgrades, Maximizing Enterprises’ Intelligent Productivity

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1 hour ago

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September 21, 2024

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SHANGHAI, Sept. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — During HUAWEI CONNECT 2024, the Xinghe Intelligent Campus session was successfully held, attracting more than 200 industry pioneers, experts, and scholars from around the world to explore campus network trends and technological innovations. Also at the event, Huawei unveiled its all-new Xinghe Intelligent Campus Solution that stands out for full upgrades to wireless, application, and operations & maintenance (O&M) experience.

Shawn Zhao, President of the Campus Network Domain, Huawei’s Data Communication Product Line, said, “As video conferencing, AI terminals, and AI applications become more widespread, the campus network access density has increased threefold, and the demand for bandwidth has grown tenfold. In this case, users place new requirements on the assurance for AI applications and audio/video services while expecting more intelligent O&M.”

To meet these needs, Huawei launched its all-new Xinghe Intelligent Campus Solution with full upgrades. Specifically, this solution upgrades wireless experience in performance, roaming, and IoT convergence. It also leverages X-Scheduler (an experience scheduling engine) to upgrade application experience, while drawing on AI-assisted decision-making and a tidal prediction algorithm to upgrade O&M experience. These help customers build an industry-leading digital infrastructure and facilitate the digital and intelligent transformation of enterprises.

In addition, the solution provides end-to-end security assurance. On the wireless side, the innovative Wi-Fi Shield technology radically prevents packet eavesdropping on the air interface. On the wired side, the full-link MACsec capabilities from switches to APs ensure secure campus network data transmission since the very beginning.

Also at the session, leading analyst firms, customers, and partners in various industries shared their unique insights, best practices, and successful cases. Key speakers include Sian Morgan, Research Director of Dell’Oro Group; Dr. Haitham S. Hamsa, Professor of Information Technology, Cairo University; Shang Qun, Assistant to the Director of the Computing Center, Peking University; Sun Pan, Director of Infrastructure Operations Dept, System Digitalization Dept, FAW Group; Connee Zhang, CEO of CypressTel. Their valuable practices will provide a unique reference for the digital and intelligent transformation of enterprises across industries.

Looking ahead, Huawei believes that the Xinghe Intelligent Campus Solution will become the preferred choice for global enterprises’ digital and intelligent transformation to reap more benefits.

For more information about Huawei’s Xinghe Intelligent Campus Solution, visit https://e.huawei.com/en/solutions/enterprise-network/campus-network.

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SOURCE Huawei

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