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Category: General

Retail News Asia is committed to providing both local and global retailers with the latest General Retail news throughout the Asian market. This on a daily base.

  • Gold prices fall

    Gold prices fall

    SJC gold price fell 0.15% to VND67.1 million ($2,852.04) per tael Wednesday morning.

    Gold ring price dropped 0.18% to VND56.45 million per tael. A tael equals 37.5 grams or 1.2 ounces.

    Globally gold traded in a narrow range on Wednesday as traders refrained from making big bets ahead of Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell’s congressional testimony, which could offer further insight into the central bank’s interest-rate hike plan,.

    Spot gold was almost unchanged at $1,936.99 per ounce. U.S. gold futures too were little changed at $1,948.20.

    Powell’s congressional testimonies due on Wednesday and Thursday will be scanned for U.S. interest rate outlook.

    Two Federal Reserve policymakers and an economist nominated to join them on the Fed’s Washington-based board on Tuesday said their focus is on bringing down too-high inflation so that the U.S. economy can get back to sustainable growth.

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  • WhatsApp update adds option to automatically silence unknown callers

    WhatsApp update adds option to automatically silence unknown callers

    WhatsApp users have been spoiled lately, as Meta’s acquisition rolled out several important updates in the last few months, something that doesn’t happen too often. Today’s update introduces a couple of privacy features that we’re pretty sure users will find extremely useful.

    As the title says, a new option to automatically silence unknown callers is now available for WhatsApp users. Specifically designed to prevent spam, scams, and calls from unknown people, the new feature provides increased protection and peace of mind.

    The new feature can be enabled from the Privacy tab / Calls and while all calls from unknown numbers will be silenced, they will still be shown in the Call list just in case you recognize one of the numbers or you know it’s coming from someone important.

    In addition to the Silence Unknown Callers feature, WhatsApp announced that it’s bringing Privacy Checkup to its app. It’s a step-by-step feature meant to guide users through important privacy settings and familiarize them with certain levels of protection.

    WhatsApp users can now select “Start checkup” from their Privacy settings to browse through multiple privacy layers that increase the security of messages, calls and personal information.

    These two new features should be available globally for all WhatsApp users, but make sure to update to the latest version of the app before trying to use either of them.

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  • Google apps like Maps, Translate, Calendar and Lens are getting integrated into the iOS Chrome app

    Google apps like Maps, Translate, Calendar and Lens are getting integrated into the iOS Chrome app

    There are some changes being made by Google to the iOS version of Chrome in order to “help you quickly get more done from your browser.” Google notes that Chrome is using “AI to detect addresses on webpages.” Press on an address inside of a webpage and you’ll see an option to “View with Google Maps in Chrome.” Tapping on this option will reveal a mini Google Maps in Chrome that will allow you to “Get Directions” to the address on the webpage that you tapped, or open the full Google Maps app.
    Tap on a date listed on a webpage in the iOS version of Chrome and you’ll see two options: one to add that date to the Google Calendar app, and one to add that date to Apple Calendar. If you choose to add it to Google Calendar, contextual information will be used to fill out some of the blanks and you can adjust some of the information to meet the particulars of the appointment you are adding to the calendar.
    Now here’s another cool feature coming to the iOS version of Chrome. Tap on a passage found on a website written in a foreign language and a toolbar will appear on the display that includes a “Google Translate” option. Tap on it and the section of the webpage you wanted to be translated will appear in English (or your home language).
    And in the coming months, the search/URL bar at the top of the iOS version of Chrome will include the iconic Google Lens camera icon on the right side of the bar found near the top of the screen. Tap on it and you can “use your camera to search with new pictures you take and existing images in your camera roll.” Think of Lens as another way to access Google’s search engine using photos to input what you want to search for. Currently, an icon for Lens can be found in the search bar near the top of the iOS Google Search app.
    It isn’t clear when these new features are coming to the iOS version of Chrome so it will be a matter of trial and error until you find that each of these new features is available on your iPhone.
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  • AirAsia’s Fernandes teases large aircraft order

    AirAsia’s Fernandes teases large aircraft order

    The AirAsia group of airlines “will definitely” be placing a large order for aircraft over “the next two years”, although it will not be adding to the flurry of order announcements at this year’s Paris air show.

    Tony Fernandes, chief executive of AirAsia parent company Capital A, tells FlightGlobal that the group has other priorities at this stage.

    “I think it’s crazy for me to talk about orders now when I haven’t got all my planes back [in service],” he says. “But this is a business…and you need to plan quite a few years ahead, of course. I would say… over the next two years, we will definitely be placing large orders.”

    Fernandes says AirAsia expects to have put all of its aircraft back into service later this year

    At the 2011 edition of the Paris air show, AirAsia made headlines when it placed an order for 200 A320neos. Then at 2019’s show, it became the largest A321neo customer in the world after converting 253 of its A320neo orders to the larger variant.

    With existing Airbus narrowbody commitments in place, Fernandes says the group is looking at “potentially acquiring” more widebody aircraft as an immediate priority – pointing to a robust recovery in the medium-haul market.

    Low-cost medium-haul operator AirAsia X currently operates most of the group’s widebodies, flying a fleet of Airbus A330-300s.

    Moving forward, Fernandes says the group is “agnostic at the moment” about which airframer it would source its new fleet of widebodies from.

    “You would think we would take the A330neo as new aircraft; we will see what is available. Growth in the medium-haul market has been very strong and AirAsia X is doing very well,” Fernandes says, adding that the new aircraft would be a mix of leases and direct orders.

    “We would like to put widebodies into Indonesia and the Philippines, and more in Malaysia and Indonesia,” he adds, listing the countries with AirAsia units in operation.

    For the rest of the year at least, the group will remain “realistic” in its fleet strategy, as it moves from what Fernandes calls “survival mode” to the start of its “growth mode”.

    “We want to be sensible – we will definitely look at placing more narrowbody orders, but let’s fully recover first,” he says.

    AirAsia units are working to return their stored fleet of A320-family narrowbodies to service. Fernandes says about 170 aircraft are flying, with the remaining 35 jets likely to be back in service by August.

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  • 8 Ways To Simplify Business Banking

    In the world of business, every minute counts. Efficiency and simplicity are not just ideals but necessities, particularly when dealing with finances. Financial transactions and money management should be straightforward, enabling you to focus on your business’s core operations. One way to achieve such simplicity is through effective business banking strategies. These strategies are intended to eliminate complications, reduce unnecessary effort, and streamline financial operations. 

    In this context, the Mercury bank account for foreigners is worth mentioning. It provides an excellent example of simplifying business banking by allowing non-resident business owners to manage their finances efficiently. This innovative solution is just one example of how business banking can be simplified, leading us to our discussion’s heart.

    • Leverage Online Banking

    In today’s digital age, online banking has become crucial to managing finances. Online banking lets you easily transfer funds, pay bills, and monitor transactions from anywhere. This eliminates the need to visit a bank in person, saving you precious time. 

    Online banking also offers features like mobile check deposits and low-balance alerts, making it a convenient and efficient way to manage your finances. By leveraging online banking, you can simplify your financial tasks and focus on growing your business.

    • Consider Consolidation

    Juggling multiple accounts across different banks can be challenging and time-consuming. To simplify your banking activities, it’s worth considering consolidating them with a single provider. This approach can simplify management and enable you to keep a closer eye on your cash flow. Having all your accounts in one place allows you to easily monitor your balances, transactions, and fees. 

    Consolidation can also make it easier to access financing options, such as loans or lines of credit. Overall, consolidating your banking activities can save you time and energy while making managing your finances less stressful.

    • Automate Payments

    Automating payments is an effective way to streamline your financial operations. Setting up recurring payments for monthly bills and payroll can significantly reduce administrative work and avoid late payment fees. This simple approach keeps your finances on track without requiring continuous monitoring. As you transition to this strategy, remember that consistency is key. The more consistent you are in your banking strategies, the easier it will be to manage your financial operations. By automating payments and maintaining consistency, you can simplify your financial tasks and focus on growing your business.

    • Use Cloud-Based Accounting Software

    Cloud-based accounting software is an excellent tool for simplifying financial processes. These platforms automatically update financial data, making tracking income, expenses, and tax obligations easier. By using cloud-based accounting software, you can access real-time financial information from anywhere, at any time. This can help you make informed decisions about your business and manage your finances more efficiently. Additionally, cloud-based accounting software can reduce the risk of errors and save time on manual data entry. Using cloud-based accounting software is a smart investment for any business looking to streamline financial operations.

    • Embrace Mobile Banking

    Mobile banking apps offer a convenient way to conduct banking transactions. As a busy entrepreneur, embracing this technology can be a significant time-saver. With mobile banking, you can easily transfer funds, pay bills, and monitor transactions from your smartphone or tablet. This eliminates the need to visit a bank in person, saving you precious time. Additionally, mobile banking apps offer features like mobile check deposits and alerts for low balances, making it a convenient and efficient way to manage your finances. By embracing mobile banking, you can simplify your financial tasks and focus on growing your business.

    • Set Up Alerts

    Stay in the loop by setting up banking alerts. Whether it’s a deposit notification, a low-balance alert, or an unauthorized transaction warning, these alerts can keep you updated on your financial status and help prevent potential issues.

    • Get Expert Advice

    Never hesitate to seek professional help. A financial advisor or a dedicated bank representative can provide personalized advice tailored to your business needs. They can help simplify your banking operations and assist in financial decision-making.

    In moving toward our last point, remember that simplicity is about removing complexity, not necessarily reducing functionality. It’s about making sure everything serves a clear purpose.

    • Implement Payroll Services

    Lastly, consider integrating payroll services with your business bank account. Such services can streamline your payroll process, ensure accuracy, and help comply with legal requirements.

    Taking these steps toward simplifying your business banking can save valuable time, increase accuracy, and let you focus more on your business’s operational aspects. Implementing these strategies won’t happen overnight, but the benefits will be worthwhile.

    Conclusion

    Simplifying business banking may seem daunting initially, but with the right strategies, it becomes manageable. Implementing the aforementioned methods can streamline your financial operations, provide a clearer picture of your cash flow, and ultimately enable you to concentrate more on what matters most – growing your business. Simplify to amplify your business’s success because simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

     

  • AirAsia X expands medium-haul network to Northern India

    AirAsia X expands medium-haul network to Northern India

    AirAsia Aviation Group’s medium-haul affiliate airline, AirAsia X, continues to expand its network with renewed direct services from Kuala Lumpur to Amritsar in Northern India.

    Its chief executive officer, Benyamin Ismail said the restart of the route is part of the company’s effort to strengthen AAX’s position in South Asia, complementing its robust network in North Asia.

    “We are optimistic that this route relaunch will not only enhance our medium-haul destination offering with affordable fares but also contribute to the overall business growth,” he said in a statement today.

    The renewed direct services will be scheduled four times weekly, effective from Sept 3, 2023, with access to Amritsar, a destination known for its religious significance, tourism attractions, commercial opportunities, and trade prospects.

    “As the second destination to India after New Delhi, this route will deliver an additional annual capacity of 157,263 seats between Kuala Lumpur and Amritsar for AAX,” it said.

    To celebrate the route recommencement, AAX is offering promotional all-in fare from RM299 one-way for the economy seat and RM999 one-way for the Premium Flatbed.

    In addition, guests travelling to/from Amritsar will also enjoy 50 per cent off check-in baggage when they book from today until July 2, 2023, for the travel period between Sept 3, 2023, and March 30, 2024.

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  • Facebook updates enhance reels creation, audience growth, and content monetizing

    Facebook updates enhance reels creation, audience growth, and content monetizing

    Meta is rolling out new updates to Facebook to attract more creators and generate more video content for the platform. While nearly 3 billion people worldwide currently use Facebook, Meta still has to compete with social media giants like TikTok, especially considering its continuous growth among younger generations.

    The latest Facebook updates are designed to simplify the process of creating reels on the platform, provide new features in ProMode to assist creators in expanding their following, offer valuable insights for content creation, and broaden monetization options across the platform.

    Facebook has introduced an Inspiration Hub within the Professional Dashboard to make creating reels easier. This hub brings together popular reels, hashtags, topics, and music to inspire creators in their content production. Additionally, a mobile app update combines audio, music, and text into a unified editing screen, streamlining reel editing process.

    Another aspect Facebook has improved is audience growth. Any Facebook user can switch to Professional Mode and become a creator. ProMode creators can appear in the ‘Creators to Follow’ unit on the feed, increasing their chances of being discovered by more people. Moreover, when ProMode creators comment on public posts, a follow button may appear alongside their name, allowing them to attract new followers through conversations.

    And, of course, if you want to be a creator, you are probably interested in how to monetize your content. The new update lowered some of the monetization eligibility requirements, and creators now need to have garnered 500 followers over the past 30 days to qualify for monetization, compared to the previous requirement of 1,000 followers in 60 days. This trend of expanding income opportunities aligns with YouTube’s recent adjustments.

    Facebook’s objective is clear: to entice more creators to the platform by simplifying content production, enabling monetization, and fostering the growth of followers. Most new updates are available only for users in ProMode, but the company is saying that they hope to bring them more broadly over time.
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  • Construction steel prices lowest in two months

    Construction steel prices lowest in two months

    Prices of construction steel have dropped by VND200,000 (US$8.50) per ton, the 10th decline in a row, to VND14.5 million, the lowest rate in the last two months.

    Companies like Hoa Phat, Viet Y, Viet Duc, and Viet Nhat have cur prices by a cumulative VND1.5 million per ton since early April.

    The Vietnam Steel Association attributed the lower prices to weak demand.

    However, the price reduction has helped boost production and demand in the last two months. Over 812,000 tons of construction steel were produced in May, up 14% from April, while 927,000 tons of the product were sold, up 26%, the highest growth rate since the beginning of this year, according to the association.

    Hoa Phat Group, which holds one-third of Vietnam’s construction steel market share, said it sold 530,000 tons of steel of all kinds in May, up 16% against April. Specifically, it sold 284,000 tons of construction steel, up 33%.

    Steelmakers said they experienced hardship in the second half of last year, saw improved performance in the first quarter of this year, and would make profits in the second quarter.

    However, VNDirect Securities Corporation said steel demand would remain weak throughout 2023.

    Total sales of construction steel and galvanized steel are likely to decrease by 9.2% and 7% this year to 9.5 million tons and 3.9 million tons, respectively, it predicted.

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  • Bamboo Airways’ accumulated loss bigger than Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet

    Bamboo Airways’ accumulated loss bigger than Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet

    Bamboo Airways posted an accumulated loss of VND3.2 trillion ($136 million) last year, higher than that of Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet.

    Although the company saw revenue tripling to VND11.73 trillion, costs still exceeded that figure due to difficulties in the Northeast Asia market and the Russia-Ukraine conflicts, which drove up fuel expenses, according to the company’s financial disclosure.

    Other airlines also posted accumulated loses last year. Vietnam Airlines lost VND2.64 trillion, an improvement from VND10 trillion recorded in 2021, thanks to revenues recovering to 70% of pre-pandemic levels.

    Vietjet posted an accumulated loss of VND1.99 trillion last year. Bamboo Airways leaders, however, are optimistic about the future of the company.

    Chairman Nguyen Ngoc Trong said that the airline nearly reached its breakeven point in the first quarter as its fleet of 30 aircraft operated at full capacity.

    Bamboo Airways is set to post profit in 2025, he added. The airline targets a growth rate of 15-20% this year. It is considering plans to expand its fleet and routes and increase occupancy.

    New routes are being considered to Europe, Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia and Australia.

    The airline is seeking the government’s permission to increase its fleet size to more than 30.

    Bamboo Airways is set to select a new board of directors for the 2023-2028 period on June 21.

    The five directors of Bamboo Airways have asked to resign, and the airline will select a new board of seven directors at the upcoming general meeting.

  • Vietnam lacks a million tons of coal for power production

    Vietnam lacks a million tons of coal for power production

    Thermal power plants in northern Vietnam are short of over one million tons of coal for power production for this and next month, which could intensify electricity shortage in the region.

    Vietnam’s main coal suppliers Vinacomin and Dong Bac Corp were obliged to provide 4.39 million tons to utility firm Vietnam Electricity (EVN) for power production in June and July, but so far they are 1.64 million tons short.

    Since a unit of EVN has been able to purchase 600,000 tons from other sources, the amount of coal needed for EVN to operate its thermal power plants is 600,000 tons this month and 400,000 next.

    This amount is even more necessary since hydropower plants in the north are at record low water levels, which means thermal power plants will need to run at full capacity, EVN CEO Tran Dinh Nhat said at a meeting on June 12.

    The Ministry of Industry and Trade has recently said that five major hydropower plants in the north were shut down this month, creating a shortage of 5,000 megawatts of power for northern Vietnam.

    Water levels will likely remain low in the next 10 days, according to weather forecasts.

    Load shedding has been frequent in different northern areas in the last several weeks, disrupting daily life and manufacturing.

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  • Tutor Time, A Bilingual Path to Local and International Primary Schools

    Tutor Time, A Bilingual Path to Local and International Primary Schools

    “Children are like tiny flowers; they are varied and need care, but each is beautiful alone and glorious when seen in the community of peers”. Froebel (who invented the ‘kindergarten’) possessed an innate love of science, nature and mathematics, believed in hands-on learning and encouraged children to flourish through non-directional play. This allowed them the freedom to explore and appreciate nature, plant, nurture, explore, observe and discover. Many years later, Tutor Time Kindergarten built off of this idea and established a bilingual path to international primary school education for children between three and six years.

    Bilingual Education

    The interactive English and Mandarin bilingual classrooms in Tutor Time International Nursery & Kindergarten encourage children to explore their own unique interests through the LifeSmart programme. LifeSmart™ helps young children develop holistically through exploring their different ‘smarts’. The curriculum prepares children for international primary school and encourages them to develop critical literacy and numeracy skills, among other skills like creativity, science and more. Tutor Time is inspired by Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences theory, based on research about how individuals learn through eight unique intelligences. Every child uses intelligence differently to carry out tasks and solve problems.

    Tutor Time continuously updates the curriculum of its Kindergarten Programme to ensure that they exceed the standard requirements of local and international primary schools. Tutor Time students go on to attend some of the best schools in Hong Kong such as St. Mary’s Canossian School, St. Paul’s Co-Educational College Primary School, Chinese International School, and Hong Kong International School.

    Professionals at Tutor Time foster independence, cooperation and communication skills to help students develop a lifelong love of learning. The teachers afford each child hands-on learning through reading and storytelling using books developed with Learning Time.

    Chief Academic Officer Dr Susan Canizares explains, “Integrating character development in the preschool classroom in ways that are meaningful to children helps them better understand and learn positive values. When we help children grasp the idea of empathy and consider the experiences, feelings and ideas of another person, we help them to be more sensitive to the importance of kindness and generosity”.

    Positive Behaviour Support

    The school provides skills to promote social, emotional, language, and cognitive development to guide children’s behaviour. If a child has challenging behaviours, Tutor Time educators treat these behaviours as positive learning opportunities. The use of the Second Step program guides children in learning key social and emotional skills that impact their approach to life both inside and outside of school.

    Each language teacher at Tutor Time is a native English or Mandarin speaker and holds at least a Bachelor’s Degree and relevant industry certification. They undertake the school’s proprietary training programme to implement Tutor Time’s approach, values, and curriculum during each lesson and ensure your child receives the best educational experience possible.

    Tutor Time has 4 campuses across Hong Kong: North Point (Braemar Hill), Mid-Levels, Yuen Long (YOHO) and Kowloon Tong Dorset that offer world-class facilities and academic support for your child. Schedule a school visit to your interested campus to prepare your child to receive the best education in a beautiful and safe environment.

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  • Google Calendar will reportedly introduce new Material You widgets teased years ago

    Google Calendar will reportedly introduce new Material You widgets teased years ago

    Introduced in 2021 with Android 12, the Material You treatment on Google Calendar enabled consumers to personalize the app more seamlessly than before. While some intriguing widgets relied on the background to create personalized colors, the overall design wasn’t really unique. Well, things might be changing now, for Google might currently be working on an update of the Material You widgets.

    Pictures of the revamped widgets were found on a Google News Telegram channel, which activated them using a hidden flag in version 2023.22.1-537255951. So far, so good. What makes these changes interesting, though?

    Let’s first determine which view modes get a revamped widget design. Looking at the pictures, it becomes clear that the changes in question shall apply to the monthly overview of Google Calendar and the agenda view.

    As mentioned, the design changes on the Material You widgets haven’t been officially confirmed yet. Still, keeping in mind that a mere flag in the code allows them to run, it could be safe to say that the revamped design will be coming to Google Calendar sooner or later.

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  • Soon you’ll be able to send higher-quality images via WhatsApp on iOS and Android

    Soon you’ll be able to send higher-quality images via WhatsApp on iOS and Android

    WhatsApp is rolling out a new feature allowing users to send high-definition (HD) photos on iOS and Android. The feature, which is currently being tested by a small group of beta testers, will allow users to send images without them being heavily compressed, although a light compression will still apply.

    As per WABetaInfo‘s reporting, the new option is available in the latest beta version of WhatsApp on Android (v2.23.12.13) and iOS (v23.11.0.76). However, this option is just that — an option — and not the default setting. This means that it will need to be selected anytime you want to send an image with lighter compression.
    The current photo-sending options include “auto,” “best quality,” and “data saver,” but none of these options allow for no compression at all. Like other popular messaging applications, WhatsApp utilizes automatic compression of photos and videos to minimize their size and facilitate expedited image transfers.

    Once you’ve chosen an image, you can send it at a higher quality by tapping the new HD icon at the top. However, the option only appears if you are trying to send an image with higher resolution.

    It doesn’t look like this feature will extend to videos, which is a shame considering that WhatsApp is used by many as an alternative to iMessage/RCS when sending videos cross-platform. However, there is a workaround to this by attaching the movie as a document instead of a media file.

    It is unknown when this feature will roll out to the masses as it is only just now rolling out in beta. However, The new HD photo and lightly compressed image feature is a significant improvement to WhatsApp’s media sharing capabilities and will allow users to send higher quality photos and videos to friends and family without worrying about file size or compression.
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  • Twitter Blue subscribers now have up to one hour to edit tweets, possible mailing list functionality

    Twitter Blue subscribers now have up to one hour to edit tweets, possible mailing list functionality

    The new Twitter Blue, rebranded and relaunched upon Elon Musk’s takeover of the popular social networking site, launched late last year with some exclusive features for its subscribers. One of these features is the ability to edit your sent tweets, albeit only for a limited time, a limit which has now been increased.
    Previously, the amount of time Twitter Blue subscribers had to edit a sent tweet was within 30 minutes of posting. This was considered a reasonable amount of time to fix a spelling mistake or to quickly fix any grammar issues noticed after the fact.
    However, there are instances in which you won’t notice a mistake until someone points it out, and that can happen at anytime and not just within a half hour window. To help with this, Twitter has recently announced a change in their policy pertaining to the editing of tweets and has extended this time frame to a full hour.
    This change is also reflected on Twitter’s Help Documentation, explaining how editing tweets actually work. To the surprise of many, editing tweets does not extend to replies, but only to original tweets and quote tweets.
    Edit Tweet: This highly requested feature gives you a 1 hour window to make a limited number of changes to published Tweets. Use it to make updates, tag someone, or reorder the media you attached. Edit Tweet currently only applies to original Tweets and quote Tweets.
    Meanwhile, Musk continues to experiment with new features within the platform. The latest announced via a tweet, seemingly in response to Twitch’s new controversial guidelines restricting streamers and causing a lot of backlash within that community and criticism from Musk himself.
    Though no further details have been shared on this announcement, it is safe to assume that this will function as sort of a mailing list for creators to keep of their subscribers should they ever want to leave the platform. It is unclear at this point how the opt-in process will work, but one could discern that it will be something that can be done in-app either while subscribing to a creator or anytime thereafter.
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  • AirAsia expands Asia presence with Penang-Hong Kong route

    AirAsia expands Asia presence with Penang-Hong Kong route

    AirAsia continues to expand its presence in Asia with a route to Hong Kong from its third biggest hub in Penang starting 10 August 2023.

    This route marks the airline’s seventh direct international route from Penang and is set to further boost regional inbound tourism to the state, bolstering an already thriving state tourism industry. The three weekly flights will add to a total of 217 flights weekly from Penang to both domestic and international destinations.

    The route was announced by YB Yeoh Soon Hin, Penang State EXCO for Tourism and Creative Economy (PETACE); Ooi Chok Yan, CEO of Penang Global Tourism (PGT); and Kenneth Tan, Director, Government Relations (Northern Region) at AirAsia at Komtar, Penang.

    YB Yeoh Soon Hin, Penang EXCO for Tourism and Creative Economy (PETACE) said: “We are confident that the addition of three weekly flights from Hong Kong will not only reinforce Penang’s status as a top tourist hotspot in Malaysia but will also contribute significantly to the island’s overall appeal. Hong Kong is part of China’s Greater Bay Area (GBA) which refers to the Chinese government’s scheme to link their rapidly developing regions together into an integrated economic and business hub. By connecting with China’s GBA, it would be advantageous for Penang to attain higher tourism and economic growth.”

    “The Penang State Government firmly believes that through collaborative efforts with industry players such as AirAsia, we can harness the full potential of our local tourism industry.Forging strong partnerships with private sectors, implementing innovative marketing strategies and investing in infrastructure development will undoubtedly boost visitor arrivals, extend their length of stay and enhance their overall travel experience.”

    Riad Asmat, AirAsia Malaysia CEO said: “We are excited to reconnect Penang to Hong Kong after launching it for the first time in 2009 where we established Penang as a hub at the same time. We are also thrilled to be the only low-cost carrier connecting both islands directly, providing more value and greater accessibility to our guests. This is an exciting historical route for AirAsia and we anticipate a remarkable response from both leisure and business travellers alike.

    “AirAsia Group has the largest international connectivity from Penang with a market share of 40%. This expansion not only strengthens AirAsia’s foothold beyond Asean but also reinforces our commitment to fostering economic growth through tourism. We look forward to working closely with the state government to support the tourism industry and stimulate air travel to the Pearl of the Orient.”

    In celebration of the route announcement, the airline is offering incredible promotional fares starting today from RM299 all-in* one-way for travel period from 10 August 2023 to 26 October 2023. Click on the ‘Flights’ icon on the airasia Superapp or website for booking and explore the iconic Hong Kong for a steal!

    AirAsia Group operates 217 flights weekly via ten routes to Penang from Kuala Lumpur (67x weekly), Johor Bahru (28x weekly), and Langkawi (21x weekly) as well as Singapore (35x weekly), Ho Chi Minh City (7x weekly), Jakarta (11x weekly), Bangkok (14x weekly), Medan (28x weekly), Surabaya (3x weekly), and Hong Kong (3x weekly).

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