Türkiye’s New Visa-Free Regime Sparks Wave of Chinese Bookings
Hong Kong Handles 950,000 Arrivals over New-Year Weekend, 48 % Jump in Mainland Visitors
Cross-Border Movements through Hong Kong Reach 3.2 Million in Three Days—85 % of 2019 Volumes
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Macau Closes 2025 with Record 40.06 Million Visitors; Mainland Arrivals Drive Boom
Official data released 6 January show Macau attracted 40.06 million visitors in 2025, the highest on record. Total border crossings hit 235 million, with New-Year traffic alone topping 860,000 in a single day. Mainland Chinese tourists and business travellers were the main drivers, fuelling higher hotel rates and a 9 % jump in gaming revenue. Mobility planners should anticipate tight hotel inventory and busy checkpoints during upcoming holidays.
Air China Cuts Small Stake in Cathay Pacific but Pledges Long-Term Partnership
Air China has sold a 1.61 % slice of Cathay Pacific for US$170 m, but will remain the Hong Kong carrier’s second-largest shareholder with nearly 30 % after an upcoming share buy-back. Cathay stressed that strategic cooperation on mainland routes is unaffected and plans to restore 90 % of pre-Covid capacity by late 2026. Mobility managers should expect more flights—but potentially firmer fares—on Hong Kong-China trunk routes.
Philippines Denies Social-Media Rumours of Visa-Free Entry for Chinese Nationals
On 6 January, the Philippine DFA categorically denied viral claims that Chinese citizens can now visit visa-free, confirming that existing visa rules—including the 14-day e-Visa and seven-day tour-group exemption—remain in force. Companies should monitor official DFA channels and caution travellers against acting on social-media rumours.
China’s 2026 New Year holiday sets mobility record with 6.6 million border crossings and 142 million domestic trips
Official data released on 5 January show China handled 6.6 million cross-border trips and 142 million domestic journeys during the three-day New Year holiday, with visa-free arrivals up 35.8 percent year-on-year. The numbers confirm that recent visa-waiver and transit-without-visa expansions are translating into real traveller flows, signalling to corporates that China is once again open for high-volume business travel and short-term assignments.
Hong Kong counts 5.4 million mainland-linked trips over New Year break, signalling Greater Bay Area rebound
Hong Kong processed 5.4 million cross-border passenger movements during the 31 Dec–4 Jan period, including 742,000 arrivals from the mainland. The surge highlights a strong rebound in Greater Bay Area mobility, offering more flexibility for business travellers but also signalling possible congestion during upcoming Lunar New Year peaks.
Weather and post-holiday congestion trigger more than 600 flight delays across China’s major hubs
On 5 January, at least 44 flights were cancelled and 583 delayed across China’s busiest airports, with Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu hardest hit. The disruption—caused by winter weather and aircraft repositioning after the holiday rush—highlights the need for corporates to build contingency time and cost provisions into early-year travel plans.
Beijing issues fresh security update on Venezuela; companies told to reassess duty-of-care for China staff in South America
During a 5 January press conference, China’s Foreign Ministry repeated its call for citizens to avoid travel to Venezuela amid escalating conflict following U.S. strikes. Employers with Chinese assignees in the country should activate tracking and contingency plans and postpone non-essential trips.