Typhoon threatens air travel chaos across Asian destinations

Good luck to anyone planning to fly in or out of major East Asian airports this week.

Typhoon Ragasa is threating the Philippines, China, Taiwan and Hong Kong and is expected to become the season’s first super typhoon with significant impacts on land, the WeatherZone website reported.

The system is forecast to unleash destructive winds, torrential rain and life-threatening storm surges as it rages over northern Philippines and southern Taiwan early in the week, before continuing towards southern China and Hong Kong as a typhoon by midweek.

Philippines authorities are warning of winds of 220–240 km/h are possible across northern Luzon, the Babuyan Islands, Batanes and southern Taiwan from late Monday.

Beyond the Philippines and Taiwan, Nando is projected to bring significant winds and rain to southern China, including coastal areas of Fujian, Guangdong and Guangxi provinces, as well as Hong Kong, from late Tuesday into Thursday.

Hundreds of flights had been cancelled by lunchtime Tuesday, Australian time.   

Rainfall of around 200mm is expected along the southern China coast, leading to potential flooding and transport disruptions.

Hong Kong International Airport (top image) will suspend all passenger flights for 36 hours from Tuesday evening. Australian airline Qantas said in a statement.

A spokesperson for Airport Authority Hong Kong said it is closely monitoring the developments regarding the super typhoon.

Across Hong Kong, residents started stockpiling daily necessities on Monday morning. Long queues formed at supermarkets where products like milk had already sold out, while vegetables were being sold for more than triple their normal price at fresh markets.

Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific said on Monday that it expects to cancel more than 500 flights.

"Starting at 6pm tomorrow, September 23, Cathay Pacific's passenger flights arriving at and departing from Hong Kong International Airport will cease operations until resuming during daytime hours on Thursday," a spokeswoman for the airline said.

South-East Asia full of promise for wine producers

South-East Asia is a region that offers multiple new business opportunities for wine producers around the world, the head of the Vinexpo organisation believes.

Speaking after the conclusion of Vinexpo Asia in Singapore, Vinexposium CEO Rodolphe Lamayse said: "The wine and spirits industry is at a global turning point.

"With so many uncertainties re-shaping global trade, South-East Asia emerges as a new consumption continent. This is no time for solo moves - it's about playing as a team.

"And Vinexpo Asia offered precisely the field for that. Our responsibility is clear: bring structure, perspective, and clarity."

Vinexpo Asia 2025 ran from May 27-29 and attracted 8,998 trade participants at Marina Bay Sands, including substantial numbers from Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Vinesposium reported that the ASEAN bloc demonstrated a shared momentum driven by demographic growth and economic ambition.

"It's always very exciting to be at Vinexpo Asia, it's an annual activity for us. We meet our partners and explore new brands to introduce in Malaysia. Being here speeds up the process," says Wilson Khor, marketing brand manager at Luen Heng F&B.

Vinexpo Asia will returns to Hong Kong from May 26-28 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center (HKCEC). The event alternates between Singapore and Hong Kong.

For more information see the Vinexpo Asia website.

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Another British Airways flight goes nowhere

British Airways is nothing if not consistent.

For the second month running BA passengers have spent hours in the air before being deposited back where they started from.

The latest hours-long ‘flight to nowhere’ was caused by an in-flight "technical issue", Travel Mole reports.

Flight BA31 was en route from London Heathrow to Hong Kong earlier this week before turning around and heading back to Heathrow, where it landed safely.

The flight had got as far as flying over Turkmenistan when the pilot made a U-turn. Overall the flight was in the air for 11 hours.

“The flight returned to London Heathrow as a precaution due to a minor technical issue,” the airline said.

“It landed safely and customers disembarked as normal. We’ve apologised for the disruption to their journey.” An apology! How generous of them.

This latest stuff up followed last month's BA 8,000km flight to nowhere over the Atlantic.

The Heathrow flight bound for Houston turned around near the US-Canada border after a technical fault. It also returned to home base.

Australian wine producers hail "strong" results from Vinexpo Asia

Australian wine producers from 31 different regions attended Vinexpo Asia, the leading trade exhibition for wine and spirits professionals in the region in Hong Kong last week.

Wine Australia led the Australian contingent of 63 wineries as Vinexpo Asia 2024 brought together more than 14,000 trade visitors from 60 countries, who had the opportunity to engage with exhibitors from around the world over three days.

The Australian Wine Pavilion is a firm fixture at the event and offered producers a chance to showcase their brands to the most influential buyers, importers, distributors, producers, sommeliers, and merchants from around the world,

Wine Australia general manager for marketing, Paul Turale, said the activities around the pavilion supported Australian wineries to build connections to help unlock the growing opportunities across markets in Asia.

“In-person connections are so important for our sector and it’s been heartening to see such a strong interest from the trade in the diversity and quality of Australian wine over the three days,” he said.

“There is a real sense of optimism about the opportunities for Australian wine in Asia - it’s a hopeful and exciting time for Australian wine producers.”

Turale said the new Australian Wine national branding was also previewed at Vinexpo.

“The national brand encapsulates the adventure and diversity of Australian winemaking and it was great to see this applied across the pavilion and in supporting regional and wine brand assets at Vinexpo,” he said.

“This is our first time at Vinexpo Asia and it's been a really great experience to try and understand the big complex market that is Asia," said Kim Chalmers of Chalmers Wines in Victoria.

"We've been impressed with our visitors from mainland China who are so excited to have new, different Australian wines back and we've also been excited to learn that there is a thirst for understanding the diversity of Australian wine.”

Paul McArdle from Small Wonder in Tasmania and Wayfinder in Western Australia said: "The numbers and the diversity of cultures and countries at Vinexpo Asia is overwhelming.

"We’ve certainly had a lot of interest out of mainland China but also out of South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Japan.

"It feels a bit like the old days where there is very good representation and a strong presence of Australian wine and a strong interest in Australian wine. So that all goes well for our export markets. Fingers crossed. We await the orders.”

Ovolo links with Small Luxury Hotels of the World

Small Luxury Hotels of the World has inked a new deal that is aimed at elevating the Ovolo Hotels brand across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

The designer hotel collection announced a "strategic brand alliance" with Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) including its boutique designer hotels across Hong Kong, Australia, and Bali. The deal was unveiled in London this week. 

The partnership will see Ovolo Hotels expand its global presence through SLH's global sales, distribution, and marketing platforms.

Ovolo Hotels is known for its outside-the-square approach to tourism and hospitality, showcases cutting-edge design, technological integration, and sustainability with its 'Do Good. Feel Good' policy.

"At Ovolo, we are thrilled to partner with Small Luxury Hotels of the World, a brand synonymous with independently spirited hotels and excellence," says Dave Baswal, CEO of Ovolo Hotels.

"This strategic alliance not only strengthens our presence across key global markets while remaining independently owned and operated, but also allows us to showcase the distinct character and innovation that defines Ovolo while connecting with travellers emotionally."

I just want a bed, a shower and fast wifi from my hotel, but if Dave wants an emotional connection that's fine.

SLH is a collection of over 560 independent hotels in more than 90 countries.

 


Ovolo hotels include Ovolo Woolloomooloo in Sydney, Ovolo South Yarra in Melbourne, Ovolo The Valley in Brisbane, Ovolo Nishi in Canberra, as well as Laneways by Ovolo properties in Melbourne (top image) and international properties Ovolo Central in Hong Kong and Mamaka by Ovolo (above) in Bali.

Meet the world's largest outdoor wine event

Australians like to think they can throw a wine party.

But Aussies have nothing to match an extravaganza coming up in Hong Kong this week that is expected to attract a staggering 140,000 people over four days.

That is the total of wine lovers expected at the Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival, which returns this week after a five-year Covid-enforced hiatus.

Dubbed as the largest world-class outdoor gourmet party, the event returns from October 26-29 at the Central Harbourfront Event Space in Hong Kong.

Organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), the festival will showcase a collection of wines, spirits and delicacies from 36 countries and regions.

There will be bites from around the globe to be enjoyed against the picturesque backdrop of Victoria Harbour.

Organisers say there will be around 300 booths with wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy, Italy, and the US, as well as from smaller producers like Moldova, Finland and Thailand.

Among the Australian brands being showcased are Ox Hardy, Koonowla, Kellermeister, St Hallett, Petaluma and, of course, Penfolds. Also Hong Kong-owned West Australian brand Palinda.

I am, however, a little concerned about the wine knowledge, with the official website listing Koonowla 2018 Riesling as a red wine.   

China’s emerging wine scene will also be in the spotlight, with selections from Shandong, Ningxia, and Yunnan, Chinese wine site Vino-Joy reported.

There will also be live music performances.

See https://www.discoverhongkong.com/anz/what-s-new/events/wine-dine-festival.html  

"Drink more alcohol" says politician

Hong Kong residents have been told they are not drinking enough.

With Hong Kong’s economy losing steam, the city state’s Financial Secretary Paul Chan is calling on locals to drink more on weekends at restaurants and bars to boost night-time economy, Chinese website Vino Joy reports.

Chan made his remarks at the opening ceremony of a summer festival.

“After having dinner afterward, remember to grab a few drinks before going home," he said. "Today is Saturday, and it doesn’t matter if it’s a bit late.

“Apart from having fun with friends and families, I also hope you can share this happy atmosphere in society. With a more positive social atmosphere, business will start booming too.”

This advice is part of the Hong Kong government’s latest push to revive Hong Kong’s once-bustling nightlife following the Covid pandemic.

The government has been in talks with several of the city’s leading property groups to encourage them to extend mall operation hours, hand out free alcohol and vouchers to encourage local spending.

Hong Kong’s dining sector, in particular, was hit by low demand and a drain of local customers who prefer dining and shopping in the cheaper nearby city Shenzhen, in mainland China.

Image: Roberto Moreno, Scop.io

After almost 1000 days, mask mandate is lifted

After 945 days, Hong Kong has lifted laws mandating the wearing of masks in public.

Compulsory mask wearing was introduced in 2020 when the Covid pandemic began to hit, with HK$5,000 (almost $AU950) fines imposed for non-compliance.

“With the removal of the mandate, Hong Kong will return to normalcy,” the city state's chief executive John Lee-Ka chiu said.

Until the law was scrapped, everyone was required to wear masks in public areas, Travel Mole reported.

Following mainland China protocols, the Hong Kong mask mandate and other Covid rules were among the most stringent in the world.

The rule change comes as the badly-hit tourism industry bounces back.

The virus is under control in Hong Kong with no major signs of a rebound, Lee said.

Local media outlets, however, reported that many Hong Kong residents are continuing to wear masks in public places.   

Hong Kong offers free flights to kick start tourism revival

Hong Kong has signalled its intention to return to being a major tourism player by launching its Hello Hong Kong campaign with 500,000 free air tickets and a range of free offers. 

“Hong Kong is back on the map for global travellers, with more excitement to offer than ever before," said Dr Pang Yiu-kai, chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB). 

"We are extending our biggest welcome to the world through the Hello Hong Kong campaign, inviting friends from everywhere as they return to one of the world’s greatest tourism destinations. 

"I am confident that Hong Kong’s vibrant east-meets-west culture, together with our iconic and brand-new attractions and immersive experiences will attract travellers back for an epic, unforgettable journey.” 

HKTB executive director Dane Cheng presented the tourism board's key strategies and initiatives earlier this week. 

To entice travellers to visit to Hong Kong, 500,000 free tickets will be given away by the Airport Authority Hong Kong to different markets in phases, through three home-based carriers Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong Express and Hong Kong Airlines. 

Those giveaways will start in March. 

There will also be a million “Hong Kong Goodies” visitor consumption vouchers of value over HK$100 ($18.50) each will be given out, covering a complimentary welcome drink at participating bars, restaurants, and hotels, or a cash voucher to be redeemed in the transportation, culinary and retail sectors, or attractions. 

See https://discoverhongkong.com/hkgoodies 

Hong Kong tycoon swoops on Margaret River wine estate

One of Margaret River's largest vineyards has been sold to Hong Kong’s richest man Li Ka-shing of CK Hutchison Holdings.

Edinger Estate is the second-largest vineyard in the region and fetched over $10.8 million, Vino-Joy reported.

The 182-hectare property at Rosa Brook joins a portfolio that now includes 29 vineyards in Barossa Valley, Padthaway, Margaret River, Riverland and Riverina.

The company now has over 7,500 hectares of vineyards in Australia and New Zealand, making it among the largest vineyard owners in Australasia and top 10 in the world, it says.

The majority of the vineyards are leased to grape growers and producers and the company says grape demand has been steady despite China’s punishing tariffs on Australian wine imports.

“Protected by long leases with reputable wine companies as tenants, the vineyard business was not affected by challenges other operating units faced, generating stable and recurrent cashflow in rental income," the company says in its 2022 interim report

"Our tenants experienced steady demand for grapes despite ongoing trade restrictions with Mainland China, with a softening in the market for red grapes being offset by the strength of demand for white grapes.”

Aside from vineyard holdings, Li Ka-shing’s CK Hutchison Holdings Limited also owns Hong Kong’s biggest wine retailer, Watson’s Wine.

The vineyard was owned by Rob Edinger, who sold the Chalice Bridge brand to Jason and Alecia Brown, who own Moppity Wines in the Hilltops region of New South Wales.

The vineyard was established over two decades ago and is planted with chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, semillon, sauvignon blanc and merlot.

Hong Kong planning to offer free flights

Hong Kong is considering dishing out 500,000 free airline tickets in a bad to fast-track its post-Covid tourism recovery.

Hong Kong has started easing some Covid curbs in recent weeks and the government is in discussions with airlines. It plans to launch the free ticket campaign once airlines build back their schedules, Travel Mole reported.

The plan - to be implemented in 2023 - could cost $389 million dollars (Aus). 

“The airport authority will finalise the arrangement with airlines," said said Dane Cheng, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

"Once the government announces it will remove all Covid-19 restrictions for inbound travellers, we’ll roll out the advertising campaigns for the free tickets."

One airline that will not be involved is Virgin Atlantic, which announced this week it will cease flying to Hong Kong after serving the city for 30 years.

Until recently Hong Kong had some of the world's toughest rules as it followed China's Covid policies

But it has now dropped hotel quarantine and the requirement for a negative pre-travel Covid test.

Is the world's most famous ferry about to sink without a trace

No trip to Hong Kong is complete with a trip on the iconic Star Ferry.

But now the ferry's future is in danger, Travel Mole reports.

The Star Ferry Company this week revealed its biggest-ever decline in passengers as it warned of an "uncertain" future.

The ferry carried 3.2 million passengers across Victoria Harbour in the first six months of the year, but that is down 68% on 2019 figures.

“Border closure continues to cut the patronage by half,” said a spokesperson in the report providing the reasons for the company’s dilemma.

The newly established East Rail extension contributed to the further marginalization of the ferries, the spokesperson said, since the cross-harbor section of the railway reduced the journey time for passengers, the Hong Kong Standard reported.

The iconic ferries have been operating over 120 years and are a major tourist attraction, currently operating two routes with 12 craft: Wanchai on Hong Kong Island to Tsim Sha Tsui on Kowloon, and Central to Tsim Sha Tsui.

Back on track in Hong Kong

One of Hong Kong’s most iconic - and historic - tourism attractions is back on track.

The Peak Tram, which travels up Victoria Peak, has reopened after spending a year closed during Covid-19 and undergoing a a major revamp.

The revitalised tram includes a redeveloped terminus and new tramcar interiors, Travel Mole reports.

The tram is Asia’s oldest funicular dates and back to 1888. Before the pandemic it carried over six million riders annually.

The new Peak Tram dons the classic “Peak Tram Green”, in a nod to its heritage and earlier generations of tramcars in the 20th century. It provides a 75% increase in capacity, carrying 210 passengers, and its larger windows offer an unobstructed, panoramic vista of the world-famous skyline of Hong Kong. 

The bad news: the return ticket price has increased nearly 70%.

“I hope all visitors will feel it’s worth the price,” said May Tsang, general manager of tram operator the Peak Complex.

“We have to consider the increase in our operating costs and the long-term sustainability of our business.”

Image: William Furniss 

Hong Kong icon hits rock bottom

Hong Kong’s famous Jumbo floating restaurant is no more.

The restaurant - shuttered through the Covid pandemic - sank in the South China Sea while being towed to a new location.

The Jumbo had been a famous landmark at Aberdeen Harbour in Hong Kong since 1971. Noted past guests include the Queen, President Jimmy Carter, Tom Cruise and Richard Branson.

It mysteriously sank near the Paracel Islands due to "adverse conditions" owner Aberdeen Restaurant Enterprises said.

The massive three-storey vessel had an exterior styled after a Chinese imperial palace.

Hong Kong to welcome back visitors after two years

Hong Kong is to lift its ban on visitors arriving in the city for the first time since the Covid pandemic.

Hong Kong officials have announced said they would open borders to visitors from May 1, the first time in two years, ending strict border controls that effectively shut the international financial hub off from the outside world as it mirrored mainland China's strict zero-Covid policies.

The city drew about 56 million visitors in 2019 before virus restrictions dragged that figure to nearly zero, dealing a blow to the city's economy and sparking an expatriate exodus, Travel Mole reported.

The move came after Hong Kong allowed venues including gyms, theme parks, beauty parlours and movie theatres to reopen after a four-month closure sparked by an omicron-fuelled new outbreak.

Hong Kong has also dropped its mandatory hotel quarantine for visitors from 21 days to one week.

Meanwhile, citing a drop in infections, Singapore has said it is relaxing border controls by allowing all fully vaccinated travellers to enter via air or sea checkpoints without requiring a PCR test within two days of their departure.

Image: James Wong, scop.io

A non-stop air trip that lasts almost 18 hours

Imagine flying non-stop for almost 18 hours in the same seat. It could get a little tiresome.

Cathay Pacific’s new non-stop New York-Hong Kong route has become the world’s longest - because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

It is the longest flight by distance at 16,668km due to the route it has to take to avoid Russian airspace, Travel Mole reports.

The flight will travel over over the Atlantic Ocean, the UK, southern Europe and central Asia en route to Hong Kong from New York, whereas it would normally overfly Russia and the Arctic.

Cathay has just listed on its website a New York-to-Hong Kong flight for April 3 - a flight it said would stay in the air for 17 hours and 50 minutes.

It will surpass a Singapore Airlines flight travelling from the south-east Asian city-state to New York, which flies a shorter distance in a longer time: about 15,343km in 18 hours.

Many airlines have cancelled routes to Russian cities or are avoiding its airspace over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine last month.

“We are always running contingency routings for potential events or scenarios within the world of aviation,” Hong Kong’s flagship carrier said in a statement.

Pre-pandemic, Cathay operated three round trips between the Hong Kong and New York every day.

Flights to Hong Kong now face frequent cancellations due to the financial hub’s strict anti-Covid measures, as well as a lack of passengers.

Asian nations rapidly reopening their doors

Asia is opening its doors to vaccinated travellers with good news this week for anyone wanting to visit Hong Kong, South Korea or Malaysia. 

Hong Kong will lift its flight ban on nine countries next week, signalling a major switch from its ‘zero Covid’ policy, Business Traveller reports.

Fully vaccinated Hong Kong residents from the UK, Australia, Canada, France, India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines and the US will be allowed to board flights to Hong Kong from April 1 provided that they have proof of a negative PCR test.

Travellers will still need to quarantine in a hotel upon arrival in Hong Kong, but this will be cut to seven days from 14.

The city’s leader Carrie Lam announced the news at a press conference, saying the flight ban was causing distress to Hong Kong people stranded overseas and is also having an impact on the city’s businesses.

She also announced that restrictions on social gatherings, mask-wearing and business and venue operations will begin to ease in three phases from April 20.

Malaysia and South Korea plan to reopen to fully vaccinated travellers from April 1 and those two countries will not require quarantine upon entry.

Visitors to Malaysia will have to take a pre-departure PCR test and antigen test upon arrival, while travellers to South Korea who have received two doses of the vaccine, or a booster jab, will be free from quarantine requirements from April 1.