2025.10.30
1. OTA Platform Recognized as the High-quality Case for “Digital Intelligence Impact”
Source: Qunar.com
On September 12, at the “Enterprise Digital Intelligence Transformation Driven by Large Models Forum” during the 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), Qunar Travel’s AI-powered flight booking customer service and shopping assistant was selected as a “Digital Intelligence Impact” pioneer case. Traditionally, a significant challenge in the airline ticketing sector has been the lack of dedicated customer service capable of providing real-time answers to users’ queries. Qunar’s previous customer service assistant could only handle about 50 pre-set frequently asked questions prior to purchase. In reality, however, customers often had a wider range of inquiries, such as whether meal service is available on a child ticket or how to purchase baggage when a flight does not include a free allowance.
2. Establishment of Hubei Cultural Tourism Industry Alliance and Introduction of “Zhi Yin Hubei · Super Cultural Tourism Day”
Source: Hubei Cultural Tourism Group
On September 14, during the 2025 China Culture and Tourism Industries Exposition, the Hubei Cultural Tourism Industry Alliance was officially established. Ms. Li Li, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Committee and General Manager of Hubei Cultural Tourism Group, representing the Alliance and presented the Proposal for a New Journey of Cross-Industry Integration in the front of numerous guests.
Guided by the Hubei Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, the Alliance was jointly established by Hubei Cultural Tourism Group and Wuhan Cultural Tourism Group, along with enterprises from various sectors. During the Exposition, they invited more high-quality companies to join the Alliance, advocating for initiatives to stimulate Hubei’s cultural tourism consumption, elevate the “Zhi Yin Hubei” brand, enrich the “Zhi Yin Encounter” journey, and collectively shape a promising future for Hubei’s cultural tourism!
At the event, the “Zhi Yin Hubei · Super Cultural Tourism Day” was introduced, a collaborative initiative launched by the Hubei Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, the Hubei Provincial Department of Transportation, the Hubei Provincial Department of Commerce, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of Hubei Provincial People’s Government, and the Hubei Provincial Sports Bureau. This initiative is co-hosted by the Hubei Tourism Association and the newly formed Alliance.
Aiming to attract global visitors, the inaugural “Zhi Yin Hubei · Super Cultural Tourism Day” unveiled four themed cultural tourism programs for autumn and winter across the province: September: Refreshing Wuhan – “17 Tours Along the Yangtze River”; October: “Autumn Colors of Jingchu – 17 Red Leaf Journeys”; November: “Taste of Hubei – 17 Culinary Discoveries”; December: “Ice and Fire in Hubei – 17 Winter Festivities.”
3. Hubei Cultural Tourism Group Reenters the List of China’s Top 500 Enterprises, Moving Up 84 Places
Source: Hubei Cultural Tourism Group
On September 15, the China Enterprise Confederation and the China Enterprise Directors Association released the “China Top 500 Enterprises” (hereafter “Top 500”) list for the 24th consecutive year. Hubei Cultural Tourism Group secured a spot on the list for the second year in a row, rising to 411th place—an impressive increase of 84 positions from the previous year.
In recent years, the Group has consistently maintained annual growth of over 20% in both revenue and operating profit. Notably, in 2024, its three key indicators—investment, revenue, and tourist volume—each saw growth rates surpassing 100%. That year, the Group welcomed more than 31 million visitors, with total assets reaching RMB 100 billion. Furthermore, it has also been recognized for seven consecutive years as one of China’s Top 20 Tourism Groups and recognized for two consecutive years in the “China Top 500 Enterprises.”
The 2025 rankings were based on companies’ operating revenues in 2024. Overall, the total revenue of all Top 500 companies reached RMB 110.15 trillion, showing an increase over the previous year. The entry threshold increased for the 23rd consecutive year, reaching RMB 47.96 billion, which is RMB 579 million higher than last year.
4. Mafengwo Presents Full-Chain AI Services at CIFTIS, Leveraging Digital Intelligence to Revolutionize Travel Experiences
Source: Mafengwo.com
From September 10 to 14, the 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) was held at Shougang Park in Beijing. Invited by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, Mafengwo—recognized as a leading cultural tourism technology enterprise in the city—participated in the exhibition. With its cutting-edge “AI + Cultural Tourism” technologies, Mafengwo demonstrated a new generation of travel service solutions, highlighting how digital intelligence can transform and enhance the travel experience.
Mafengwo is utilizing AI technology as its core engine to enhance the efficiency and precision of travel guides and personalized itineraries for consumers. This year, the company has successively launched a range of products, including the AI Travel Assistant, AI Itinerary Planner, AI Embodied Intelligence, and AI Cultural Creativity, covering the entire travel experience—from pre-trip planning to real-time on-trip support and destination experiences. The AI Travel Assistant acts as a dedicated personal concierge, equipped with intelligent destination-based tools that meet all travel needs, from the overarching plan down to the smallest detail. The AI Itinerary Planner offers deep insight into user preferences, allowing travelers to refine their requirements and create a fully customized plan that incorporates accommodation, attractions, dining, leisure, transportation, and budget management. Additionally, AI Embodied Intelligence and AI Cultural Creativity combine multilingual narration with interactive entertainment, serving as smart travel companions that gained significant popularity among visitors during the exhibition.
At this year’s CIFTIS, Mafengwo also introduced a new feature designed for self-driving and commuting scenarios—AI Podcast. This feature utilizes a dual-dialogue format to simulate live radio interaction, covering topics such as travel recommendations, guide insights, cultural explorations, and wellness programs. It provides users with both inspiration and practical information during their fragmented time. Whether planning an in-depth road trip or enjoying a “virtual journey” during daily commutes, the AI Podcast offers companionship and guidance in an enjoyable and engaging way.
5. European Tourism Media Delegation Explores Snow-Capped Mountains and Ancient Towns: Lijiang Showcases Its Diverse Charm on the Global Stage
Source: Lijiang Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism
From September 6 to 9, more than 30 tourism media representatives and influencers from Europe, including those from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and other countries, visited Lijiang for a “Mountain, Water, and Culture: An In-Depth Experience Tour.” During the event, the delegation toured several notable sites, including the Lijiang Museum, Dongba Culture Research Institute, Lijiang Old Town, Yulong Snow Mountain Scenic Area, Snow Mountain Art Village, Baisha Ancient Town, and Yuhu Village. Through these engaging visits, they admired Lijiang’s breathtaking natural landscapes, delved into its rich ethnic traditions, and engaged in workshops on intangible cultural heritage. The journey offered a comprehensive experience of the city’s unique blend of natural beauty and cultural richness, showcasing Lijiang’s diverse charm to the global audience.
The “European Tourism Media and Influencers Visit Lijiang” event marked a significant effort to enhance the city’s presence in the international tourism market. By inviting influential European media professionals and online influencers to experience Lijiang first-hand, the initiative seeks to leverage their insights and communication platforms to more effectively highlight the city’s unique appeal as a premier global travel destination.
6. Japanese Travel Giant JTB Acquires Northstar Travel Group
Source: TravelDaily
Northstar Travel Group has announced an acquisition agreement with JTB Group, a leading Japanese provider of travel solutions. Under the agreement, Northstar will operate as a wholly owned independent subsidiary of JTB, with current CEO Jason Young continuing to lead the management team. Northstar’s portfolio includes prominent travel media and event brands such as Travel Weekly and Phocuswright, connecting a global network of more than 1 million professional travel buyers and over 1,500 supplier clients. The acquisition is expected to close in September.
7. China–Thailand Cultural Tourism Carnival Lights Up Bangkok
Source: Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development
Recently, the opening ceremony of the 2025 “Tides Rising Under the Same Moon” China–Thailand Mid-Autumn Cultural Tourism Carnival, along with the awards ceremony for the “I Want to Visit China” – “‘Thai’ Want to Visit Chongqing” Short Video Creative Contest, was held at OneBangkok, the heart of Thailand’s capital. The event was co-hosted by the China National Tourist Office in Bangkok and the China Cultural Center in Bangkok, with support from the Chinese Embassy in Thailand and the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development. More than 200 attendees, including officials from both countries’ cultural and tourism authorities, airline representatives, tourism industry professionals, media reporters, and contest winners, gathered to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival and strengthen the enduring friendship between China and Thailand.
8. Beijing Tourism Group and Kempinski Group Meet in Istanbul to Enhance Cooperation in Culture and Tourism
Source: BTG Life
On the afternoon of October 21 (local time) in Istanbul, Turkey, Bai Fan, the Party Secretary and Chairman of Beijing Tourism Group (BTG), met with H.E. Aymen Bin Tawfeeq Almoayed, Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Youth & Sports of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Head of the Hope Fund, and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Kempinski Hotels, along with Kempinski CEO Barbara Muckermann and other senior executives at the Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul. Following their meeting in Beijing in September, both parties established a significant agreement to enhance strategic cooperation, particularly in jointly developing hotel projects based on Chinese ancient architecture and exploring new business models, marking a new stage of substantive progress in their partnership.
The Istanbul talks resulted in productive outcomes. In the presence of shareholder representatives from both sides, BTG and Kempinski signed a Letter of Intent on Strategic Cooperation and agreed to: 1) Accelerate project implementation. 2) Broaden the scope of collaboration. 3) Deepen global synergy. Leveraging Kempinski’s global network and BTG’s strong local resources, both groups aim to jointly identify tourism and investment opportunities between China, the Middle East, and Europe.
9. “The Ancient City of Lhasa Crown of the Snows” 2025 Lhasa Cultural Tourism Roadshow Successfully Held in Shenzhen
Source: Culture and Tourism of Lhasa
On the afternoon of October 25, 2025, the “The Ancient City of Lhasa Crown of the Snows” Cultural Tourism (Shenzhen) Roadshow, organized by the Lhasa Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, was successfully held in Shenzhen. The event took place at Shenzhen Splendid China Folk Culture Village, beautifully adorned with rich Tibetan cultural elements. A dedicated exhibition area showcased Lhasa’s distinctive culture, featuring intangible cultural heritage displays such as Tibetan incense making and applique embroidery, alongside cultural and creative product sales and traditional Tibetan song-and-dance performances, providing guests with an immersive folk experience.
During the event, a promotional video highlighting Lhasa’s culture and tourism was screened, captivating the audience with stunning visuals of the Potala Palace, the tranquility of the Lhasa River, the vibrant atmosphere of Barkhor Street, and the welcoming warmth of the plateau sunlight. As the winter travel season approaches, Lhasa extended a heartfelt invitation to tourists from across the country. In the upcoming weeks, the Lhasa Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism will continue to promote the city’s tourism brand in other major source markets, enhancing Lhasa’s visibility and appeal as a travel destination.
10. Third CATA Aviation Conference Opens in Beijing
Source: haiwainet
On October 24, the Third CATA Aviation Conference (hereinafter referred to as “the Conference”) officially opened in Beijing with the theme “Ensuring Safe Flight and Driving Integrated Innovation.” Han Jun, Deputy Administrator of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), participated in the opening ceremony and delivered a speech.
Organized by the China Air Transport Association, the three-day event features multiple industry forums and specialized exhibitions focused on green development in civil aviation, technological innovation, aviation finance, general aviation and low-altitude safety, sales agent management, and the ideological and political work of aircrew. The conference offers a comprehensive overview of emerging trends and new business models within the aviation industry. Nearly 200 organizations from airlines, airports, air traffic management, aviation equipment manufacturing, air logistics, aviation finance, and research institutions participated in the event.