China bans Tuniu, Maimai and 88 other popular apps for breaching users’ rights
>> China’s government ordered app stores to pull 90 mobile phone applications, including those of online travel agency Tuniu and careers platform Maimai, because they infringed the rights and interests of users. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology warned 93 mobile apps on April 23 over violations of users’ legal rights.
Half-price tickets for local tourist attractions on May 19
>> Sixty-nine tourist attractions across Shanghai will offer half-price admission on May 19, China Tourism Day. The list includes the iconic Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium, the Shanghai Tower observatory and Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. The Shanghai Disney Resort will offer discounted admission after 3pm. Long lines are forecast at some attractions because of the offer, and scenic spots may limit the number of visitors depending on the circumstances, the Shanghai Administration of Culture and Tourism said, reminding people to avoid peak hours.
Virtual tours keeping 'travel' alive and well
>> While the COVID-19 pandemic has severely hampered international travel, would-be Chinese tourists still managed to get a glimpse of France's iconic Louvre Museum via their mobile phones. The virtual tour last year took nearly 400,000 online audience members to the art museum's famous masterpieces－such as the Venus de Milo, Mona Lisa as well as areas off limits to the general public.
Accor develops WeChat app for Chinese customers in 'key market'
>> European hotel group Accor has invested heavily in China's Hainan province, which is shaping up to be a new holiday hub in Asia. Patrick Mendes, Accor's chief commercial officer told CGTN Europe that Hainan is going to be a new Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, a big destination for both business and leisure.
Singapore reports 24 Covid-19 cases, but Hong Kong says travel bubble still on
>> Singapore confirmed 24 locally transmitted Covid-19 cases on Thursday, the largest daily jump since July last year, with infections linked to a cluster at Changi Airport ballooning to 46. Despite the sharp uptick in cases, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau Tang-wah remained optimistic that the travel bubble would launch on May 26 as scheduled.
Festival to feature latest consumer technology
>> The Shanghai Information Consumption Festival, part of the Double Five Shopping Festival, will kick off next Monday, World Telecom Day, to boost online services and the digital economy, creating a consumption volume of more than RMB 10 billion (USD 1.54 billion).
