Hotels and resorts

In a survey last year, Chinese travelers said that they were most interested in visiting Europe, Australia, Canada, Japan and South Korea.But that's not where they're going — at least not yet.Flight restrictions, visa issues and entrance rules aimed only at them are complicating matters for Chinese residents who are ready to travel abroad. Chinese travelers favored Southeast Asia for trips during the Lunar New Year holidays, which ended in early February, according to Trip.com Group's Chinese language booking website,…

Hong Kong's new global promotional campaign will "kickstart" the city's reopening to international travelers, the Hong Kong Tourism Board told CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia" on Friday. As part of the "Hello Hong Kong" campaign, which was launched on Thursday, 500,000 air tickets will be given away over the next six months, starting in March.The tickets will be given out through three Hong Kong's carriers — Cathay Pacific, HK Express and Hong Kong Airlines. The free tickets are part of the HK$2 billion ($255 milion) relief…

BEIJING — China's consumption recovery from zero-Covid is getting off to a solid start – after a depressing fourth quarter.When Michelin-starred restaurant Rêver reopened Thursday from a Lunar New Year break, it was fully booked, said Edward Suen, chief operating officer of the Guangzhou venue. Reservations for the next three days were near capacity, he said.He's hopeful business improves this year – and allows Rêver to recoup the roughly 35% in revenue it lost last year. Guangzhou city was one of the hardest hit by…

People said the pandemic made them want to travel more responsibly in the future.Now new data indicates they're actually doing it.According to a report published in January by the World Travel & Tourism Council and Trip.com Group:Nearly 60% of travelers have chosen more sustainable travel options in the last couple of years.Nearly 70% are actively seeking sustainable travel options.But finding companies that are serious about sustainability isn't easy, said James Thornton, CEO of tour company Intrepid Travel.  "You…

BEIJING — People in China are moving past the pandemic and going out to travel, preliminary data for the Lunar New Year holiday show."Pent-up demand is being released as many people rush to scenic spots, watch firework shows and crowd into restaurants and hotels," Nomura's chief China economist Ting Lu said in a report Thursday.China's Covid "exit wave" is quickly ending as official data show a drop in infections, hospitalizations and deaths, he said. "China has been rapidly reaching its Covid herd immunity, as the…

Travel restrictions launched in the wake of China's border reopening may be affecting where people there are booking trips.But it's not out of spite, said several Chinese travelers who spoke to CNBC.It's because some countries aren't letting them in, they said.'I think it's unfair'Reactions from Chinese travelers who spoke to CNBC were varied, ranging from indifference to confusion to anger."Of course, I think it's unfair," said one citizen, who asked to be called Bonnie. "But at the same time, we understand what's going…

Ever notice that a single hotel can be rated three, four and even five stars?That's the case with Singapore's iconic Marina Bay Sands, which is rated five stars on Booking.com, four stars on Forbes Travel Guide and three stars on Frommer's.This is because star ratings are "not regulated in a consistent way across the industry," said Yngvar Stray, the general manager of Capella Singapore.Booking.com said its stars are designated by the hotels themselves. Forbes Travel Guide, however, uses professional, anonymous inspectors…

I thought I managed to beat the tourist crowds on my recent trip to Japan.On my first night in Osaka, I managed to get a picture with the famed Glico sign without anyone else in the background.Zoom In IconArrows pointing outwardsDays later, CNBC's Abigail Ng saw multiple groups of people flocking to this spot to pose for pictures. — Courtesy of Chen MeihuiBut perhaps I should've chalked it up to the fact that it was a Monday night.I wasn't so lucky later that week: It was next to impossible to get a picture at the top of…

Covid-19. Airport chaos. Lack of available flights.Many travelers say those are the reasons they ditched airlines for private jets during the past two years of the pandemic.But a new survey shows most of the newly converted aren't ready to return to commercial aviation just yet.Some 94% of those new to the industry said they plan to continue flying privately in the future, according to a survey by the private aviation website Private Jet Card Comparisons."Users have seen firsthand how private aviation can save time, both…

The Valuable 500, a business coalition, released its list of the top 10 most accessible cities in the world. The report cited a survey conducted among 3,500 individuals with disabilities, who rated cities based on "transport links, proximity of accommodation to attractions, shops, and restaurants, and the availability of information about accessibility."The survey was conducted in August and September, and involved participants from five countries — the U.K., United States, Japan, China and Australia. "Our research shows…