Qantas shutters Singapore-based Jetstar Asia on rising costs, competition
An aerial view shows a Jetstar plane after the budget carrier made an emergency landing at Chubu Centrair International Airport in Tokoname, central Japan, in this photo taken by Kyodo January 7, 2023. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS/File photo
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South China Morning Post
2 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
WeChat Pay records fourfold rise in mainland tourist taxi payments in Hong Kong
WeChat Pay Hong Kong has recorded a fourfold increase in mainland Chinese tourist payments for taxi services in the city from last year and growing usage among locals and visitors alike, according to parent company Tencent. Vice-President of Tencent Financial Technology Daniel Hong Danyi said on Thursday that the number of transactions from mainland tourists paying for taxi fares through WeChat Pay had seen a fourfold increase year on year. 'We saw that previously, many mainland tourists coming to Hong Kong realised taxis here do not support mainland payment methods. So over the past year, we spent a lot of time and effort to enable more taxi drivers to accept payments from WeChat,' he said. The platform has been offering taxi drivers perks such as zero handling fees, including for customer transactions and moving money into bank accounts. Hong added more than 20,000 taxi drivers across the city now accept both the local WeChat Pay HK accounts and the mainland version, contributing to an overall significant rise in transaction volume. The tech giant also reported growth in the adoption of its 'mini programs' by Hong Kong merchants, which doubled year on year in both usage and transaction amounts throughout the first five months of 2025. Mini programs are apps that run within the WeChat ecosystem, providing a range of functionalities, including e-commerce, travel booking, and local services, without requiring users to download a separate app or exit the platform.
South China Morning Post
5 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong Airlines cuts Japan routes over sluggish tourism and tremor concerns
Hong Kong Airlines is set to cancel flights to Kagoshima and Kumamoto in Japan in July and August, citing sluggish demand for tourism in the country, while flight schedules between the city and Nagoya will also be adjusted. The carrier announced the flight adjustments on Thursday amid growing concerns about a long-feared megaquake predicted to hit Japan. The airline said affected passengers could rebook to other destinations, including other cities in Japan and mainland China, as well as Taipei, Bangkok and Da Nang. It added that those who choose to refund their tickets would receive compensation in the form of travel vouchers. 'We deeply apologise for the inconvenience caused by this flight adjustment and promise to do our best to assist affected passengers and provide proper travel arrangements,' it said. Kagoshima and Kumamoto are both popular tourist destinations. The former is often compared with its Italian sister city, Naples, with a mild climate, palm tree-lined streets and rumbling Mount Sakurajima, while the latter is famous for Kumamoto Castle, which is one of the country's largest and most complete.
The Standard
11 hours ago
- The Standard
China's 240-hour transit visa-free policy extended to 55 countries, Xinhua reports
Tourists visit Jiayu Pass, a strategic point of the Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty along the ancient "Silk Road", in Jiayuguan, Gansu province, China October 28, 2024. (Reuters)
